Guidelines on the Management of Farmland in Natura 2000
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GUIDELINES ON THE MANAGEMENT OF FARMLAND IN NATURA 2000 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...............................................................................................................1 1. PURPOSE OF THIS GUIDANCE .....................................................................................2 1.1 What is this guidance for? .........................................................................................2 1.2 Who is this guidance for? ..........................................................................................2 1.3 What can you find in this document?........................................................................2 2. FARMING AND NATURA 2000.....................................................................................4 2.1 Introduction ...............................................................................................................4 2.2 Agricultural landscapes and habitats: what is their importance for biodiversity? ...4 2.3 Why is farming important for Natura 2000 sites and for conservation of their habitats and species?...............................................................................................10 2.4 What are the aims of the Natura network and how must the Natura 200 sites be managed? ................................................................................................................11 Setting conservation objectives ...............................................................................11 Establishing the necessary conservation measures .................................................12 2.5 What habitats and species are linked to agricultural practices?.............................14 2.5.1 Key agricultural habitats...........................................................................................14 2.5.2 Key agricultural species.............................................................................................16 2.6 What are the main pressures and threats to habitats and species dependent on agriculture?..............................................................................................................18 2.6.1 Abandonment of extensive farming practices – lack of grazing, hay cutting ..........21 2.6.1 Lack of shepherding ..................................................................................................21 2.6.2 Lack of controlled burning management - under-burning, over-burning and wildfire damage 21 2.6.3 Intensification of farming practices, Over-grazing and high stocking levels, supplementary feeding ............................................................................................................22 2.6.4 Changes in mowing practices and mechanisation....................................................22 2.6.5 Fertilisation ...............................................................................................................22 2.6.6 Herbicides and pesticides..........................................................................................23 2.6.7 Intensification of grassland use or cultivation and conversion to arable.................23 2.6.8 Changes in arable farmland......................................................................................23 2.6.9 Loss of habitat features in agricultural landscapes ..................................................24 2.6.10 Loss of habitat diversity ............................................................................................24 1 2.6.11 Other farm operations or infrastructure...................................................................24 2.6.12 Changes in hydrology................................................................................................24 2.6.13 Afforestation .............................................................................................................25 2.7 Conclusions..............................................................................................................25 3. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT OF NATURA 2000 HABITATS AND SPECIES.............................................................................................26 3.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................26 3.2 Key considerations for ecological management of farmland habitats....................26 3.3 What farming practices contribute to maintenance and conservation of agricultural habitats and species in Natura 2000? ..................................................27 3.3.1 Grazing......................................................................................................................27 3.3.2 Shepherding ..............................................................................................................28 3.3.3 Sheep and cattle folding, location of water and shelter...........................................28 3.3.4 Burning......................................................................................................................29 3.3.5 Mowing/hay-cutting.................................................................................................29 3.3.6 Fertiliser use – manure and mineral fertilisers .........................................................30 3.3.7 More intensive restoration measures including habitat re-creation........................31 3.3.8 Restoring hydrological management........................................................................31 3.3.9 Measures for species conservation...........................................................................32 3.3.10 Key measures to conserve species on arable land....................................................33 3.3.11 Protecting, maintaining and restoring farmland habitats for species .....................33 3.3.12 Maintaining viable populations and meta-populations ...........................................34 4.4 Conclusions..............................................................................................................35 4. PLANNING FOR NATURA 2000 FARMLAND MANAGEMENT ...................................36 4.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................36 4.2 What are the obligations in Natura 2000 sites?......................................................36 4.2.1 Ensuring appropriate management and avoiding deterioration..............................36 4.2.2 Ensuring coherence and connectivity of the Natura 2000 network .........................38 4.2.3 Financing the conservation measures need in Natura 2000 ....................................39 4.3 What are the main drivers of agricultural change that need to be addressed? .....41 4.4 What are the main policy and funding instruments that can support required farmland management? ..........................................................................................42 4.5. The Common Agricultural Policy and its relevance for management of farmland in Natura 2000 .............................................................................................................46 4.5.1 CAP Cross compliance ...............................................................................................47 4.5.2 CAP Pillar 1 Single Farm Payment.............................................................................49 2 4.5.3 CAP Pillar 1 Article 68 for National Envelope programmes ......................................52 4.5.4 CAP EAFRD Rural Development Programmes (CAP Pillar 2) - Introduction..............52 4.5.5 CAP EAFRD natural handicap / constraint measures (LFA) ......................................54 4.5.6 CAP EAFRD Agri-environment payments ..................................................................55 4.5.7 CAP EAFRD Natura 2000 payments ..........................................................................60 4.5.8 CAP EAFRD Non-productive investments..................................................................62 4.5.9 CAP support for organic farming ..............................................................................63 4.5.10 CAP EAFRD Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage................................63 4.5.11 CAP EAFRD Animal welfare.......................................................................................64 4.5.12 Instruments for the conservation of genetic resources in agriculture......................65 4.5.13 Farm advisory services, training and information provision.....................................65 4.5.14 CAP EAFRD local partnerships, co-operation projects, and producer groups...........68 4.5.15 CAP EAFRD Measures to support diversification of farming activities or to promote and add value to agricultural products....................................................................................69 4.5.16 CAP EAFRD Measures to support farm infrastructure and modernisation...............70 4.6 Other EU financial instruments that can support management of farmland in Natura 2000 .............................................................................................................71 4.6.1 LIFE+ Programme funding.........................................................................................71 4.6.2 European Regional Development Fund and Social Fund ..........................................72 4.7 Market-based instruments and innovative instruments.........................................74 4.7.1 Labelling