HNV Farming Network for non-EU South Eastern Europe The HNV Farming network in SEE aims at: 1. Provide a forum for networking and experience exchange among SEE countries, and between EU and non-EU countries; 2. Present information on the current state of HNV farming identification and support in the region; 3. Illustrate HNV farming in the region with examples and case studies; High Nature Value Farming in the Western Balkans: 4. Identify common interests and develop joint activities on HNV farming in the region during 2011 and beyond. Current Status and Key Challenges – a Scoping Document SEE HNV Network contacts: Yanka Kazakova and Vyara Stefanova [email protected] [email protected] High Nature Value Farming in the Western Balkans: Current Status and Key Challenges – a Scoping Document Authors: Yanka Kazakova and Vyara Stefanova, EFNCP Bulgaria, 2010 Valuable contribution from Gwyn Jones and Guy Beaufoy, EFNCP Photos credit: Most of the photos are provided by the participants in the SEE HNVF meeting in Sofia, 6 - 8 Dec, 2010 The European Forum on Nature Conservation and Pastoralism (EFNCP) brings together ecologists, nature conservationists, farmers and policy makers. This non-profit network exists to increase understanding of the high nature conservation and cultural value of certain farming systems and to inform work on their maintenance. Hay making in Macedonia - Petar Andonov This publication is funded by DG Environment. www.efncp.org The opinions expresses are those of the www.see.efncp.org authors and do not necessarily reflect those Email: [email protected] of the funders. Useful Links Contents European Forum on Nature Conservation and Pastoralism for South Eastern Europe: http://www.see.efncp.org/ European Forum on Nature Conservation and Pastoralism: http://www.efncp.org/ Introduction ............................................................................................................3 European Environmental Agency: http://www.eea.europa.eu/ http://reports.eea.europa.eu/report_2004_1/en Joint Research Center : http://agrienv.jrc.it/index.htm http://agrienv.jrc.it/publications/pdfs/HNV_Final_Report.pdf Biodiversity and HNV Farming in the Western Balkans..........................................4 European Commission DG Agriculture: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/rurdev/eval/hnv/guidance_en.pdf Rural Areas in the Western Balkans ......................................................................7 HNV Farming in the Western Balkans ..................................................................11 Policy and Support for HNV Farming ...................................................................29 Abbreviations Key Challenges to HNV Farming in the Western Balkans .....................................32 AL Albania BA Bosnia Herzegovina Conclusion ...........................................................................................................34 CAP Common Agricultural Policy CLC Corine Land Cover EAFRD European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development EEA European Environmental Agency EU European Union HNV High Nature Value HR Croatia IACS Integrated Administration and Control System IBA Important Bird Area IPA Important Plant Area IPARD Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance for Rural Development GDP Gross Domestic Product JRC Joint Research Center a Djordjevic LPIS Land Parcel Identification System LU Livestock Unit ME Montenegro MK Macedonia FYR NGO Non-governmental Organization PBA Primary Butterfly Areas RDP Rural Development Programme SR Serbia UAA Utilized Agricultural Area UNSCR United Nations Security Council Resolution XKV Kosovo under UNSCR 1244/99 Busha cattle grazing on semi-natural grassland, Serbia - Suzan #*L2C>:?8L#6EH@C<L7@CL?@?)L'@FE9L2DE6C?LFC@A6 (96L#*L2C>:?8L?6EH@C<L:?L'L2:>DL2E L %C@G:56L2L7@CF>L7@CL?6EH@C<:?8L2?5L6IA6C:6?46L6I492?86L2>@?8L'L4@F?EC:6DL2?5L36EH66?L )L2?5L?@?)L4@F?EC:6D L %C6D6?EL:?7@C>2E:@?L@?LE96L4FCC6?ELDE2E6L@7L#*L72C>:?8L:56?E:7:42E:@?L2?5LDFAA@CEL:?LE96L C68:@?L L ==FDEC2E6L#*L72C>:?8L:?LE96LC68:@?LH:E9L6I2>A=6DL2?5L42D6LDEF5:6D L 56?E:7JL4@>>@?L:?E6C6DEDL2?5L56G6=@AL;@:?EL24E:G:E:6DL@?L#*L72C>:?8L:?LE96LC68:@?L5FC:?8L L2?5L36J@?5 'L#*L#6EH@C<L4@?E24EDLL-2?<2L 2K2<@G2L2?5L*J2C2L'E672?@G2 -2?<267?4A@C8LLLLL*J2C267?4A@C8L 40 Introduction The Western Balkan countries are all in a process of rural land, such as the target to halt biodiversity decline accession to the European Union. Croatia, Macedonia by 2010. A key action for achieving this target is to and Montenegro have the status of candidate coun- maintain the types of farming that continue to harbour tries. Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and a wide range of wildlife, because they have not been Kosovo under UNSCR 1244/99 are potential candidate intensified to the degree of mainstream “industrialised” countries, with the prospect of joining the EU when farming. This is High Nature Value (HNV) farming. they meet the established conditions. The HNV farming concept is not complicated – it During pre-accession, the candidate countries go highlights the fact that broad farming types supporting through a process in which they review all their na- high levels of biodiversity require targeted instruments tional legislation and policies with a view to harmoniz- to ensure their sustainability. This type of farming is ing it with the EU acquis communautaire. They also predominantly based on semi-natural pastures and have to adapt their institutions and economic policies, meadows – sometimes Natura 2000 habitats, some- strengthen the rule of law and develop market-oriented times not – that are threatened with abandonment economies. across Europe. Supporting HNV farming directly ben- efits the conservation of Natura 2000 farmland habi- To a certain extent, this is a moving target, as the tats, both within the designated sites and in the wider body of EU legislation and policies is constantly evolv- countryside. Protection of flagship sites is thus com- ing. The 7-year EU budget cycle often provides a driver bined with support for the relevant farming systems at for these changes, as can be seen in the current dis- the landscape scale. cussions surrounding the shape of the Common Agri- cultural Policy (CAP) after 2013. This scoping document aims to highlight some of the key features of the HNV farming in the Western The CAP and environmental policies are key ele- Balkans within the constraints of available data. It does ments of the acquis communautaire and are linked in not claim to be exhaustive and should be viewed as a complex and sometimes contradictory ways. starting point for further work on HNV farming and its particular needs in the countries of the Western Bal- In fact the EU is failing to meet environmental aims kans so that effective policies can be developed which that are intimately tied up with farming and the use of will make a difference to HNV farmers on the ground. 3 Biodiversity and HNV Farming in the Western Balkans The Western Balkans, with its exceptional wealth of able conservation status. Achieving this will depend in plants and animals, is one of the richest parts of Eu- practice on farmers continuing to live and work in HNV rope in terms of biodiversity. There is a high number farming regions. of endemic species and habitats, many of which are either of global or European conservation importance. The recent decline in rural population and in the The density of animal, bird and fish species listed in the number of livestock animals has led to land abandon- Red List of Threatened Species (by area) is two to four ment, especially in mountainous areas. This harms times higher than in the 15 older EU Member States biodiversity by shrinking the area of farmland of high (EEA, 2010). natural value and thus the mosaic of habitats for wild- life. At the same time, intensive agriculture is expand- The Western Balkans encompass a great variety ing, which also threatens biodiversity. of natural habitats, ranging from coastal lagoons and The governments in the region have taken steps to protect some key species and habitats. The areas un- der official national (protected areas) and international designations (Ramsar, Emerald) have been increasing in recent years. Additionally, initial steps to set up the Georgi Popgeorgiev NATURA 2000 network are being taken in most of the countries. The coverage of Key Biodiversity Areas such as Im- portant Bird Areas, Important Plant Areas and Primary Butterfly Areas is also increasing as more data is being collected. These areas are not under legal designation however they represent sites of global significance for biodiversity conservation. Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra wetlands to Mediterranean forests, mountain meadows and pastures, freshwater wetlands, and karstic terrain. This natural wealth is recognized as the ‘green gold’ of South Eastern Europe (Plantlife) and the ‘green lungs’ Suzana Djordjevic of Europe (EEA). Many of these landscapes and habitats were cre- ated by the centuries old practices of extensive graz- ing and low-input small-scale cropping throughout the Balkans. The inter-linkage between HNV farming, bio- diversity and traditional landscapes is very strong. A large number of the future NATURA 2000 sites will be located in agricultural areas – these are examples of HNV farmland. The EU Birds and Habitats Directives Adonis vernalis – one of the plants which extensive grazing require that these habitats are maintained in a favour- is supporting 4 alongside biodiversity and cultural landscapes such as fire prevention and watershed management.