Natura 2000 and Agriculture
The European Natura 2000 system of protected areas consists primarily of two types of sites: FFH areas and bird sanctuaries. In Central Europe, with the exception of a few natural forests, these generally contain man-made cultural and forest landscapes. This not only means that agricultural use has taken place in the past in a large part of the open land areas of the protected areas, but also that nature-friendly extensive agricultural use is generally indispensable for maintaining the nature conservation value or for preserving the Natura 2000 protected objects (especially habitats and species listed in Annexes 1 and 2 of the Habitats Directive and Annex 1 of the Birds Directive). In addition, this use must be adapted to the protected habitats and species of the respective areas. This also applies to the strictly protected species outside Natura 2000 sites, especially the species listed in Annex IV of the Habitats Directive, which are also largely species of a structurally and habitat-rich cultural landscape.
This means that farmers operate in most Natura 2000 areas with open land. Farming is subject to many rules. Firstly, there are the requirements of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) with its complex rules, and secondly, specific requirements can be made in accordance with the various national legal frameworks for the conservation of the protected objects in the areas.
The history of agriculture in Central Europe is therefore also important in this context, as it has created these valuable cultural landscapes with their habitats and species over thousands of years and without knowledge of this it is almost impossible to understand the decline or protection of species.
The rules of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) are changed every seven years to improve environmental protection and biodiversity (CAP reform cycle).For example, the requirements for climate, water, soil and biodiversity protection have been further tightened with the new EU funding period from 2023.The whole thing is reinforced by the promotion of energy crops and biogas plants, which have driven purchase and lease prices in many areas, especially in arable farming, to astronomical heights in recent years more than any other influence due to their high profitability (as a result of high subsidies).
However, the subsidies for biogas have been reduced more sharply in recent years as a result of several amendments to the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), which has slowed down the boom in new construction.
Farmers are often faced with a dilemma in the area of conflict between these many factors: they must try to manage the balancing act between the different demands while at the same time continuing to run their farms profitably.
This structural change has been accompanied by changes in farm sizes and numbers, farm types and income structures in recent years and decades.
As a result, the income opportunities of farms can change frequently due to the often rapidly changing markets as well as the funding opportunities offered by EU agricultural support, including the requirements of the CAP regulations.
Agricultural Structures and the Economy
The economic structures of modern agriculture have been undergoing enormous change for many years. The total number of farms has been decreasing for a long time, and the remaining farms have to either expand, convert to organic farming or develop new sources of income through farm diversification (e.g. farm vacations, landscape conservation farms, etc.) due to the enormous economic pressure. Livestock farmers are particularly affected. Pressure on farms comes from various sides. For example, economic pressure from consumers and retailers is demanding both cheaper and ever more sustainable products. Nature conservation representatives and critical consumers are denouncing the intensification of agriculture and poor animal husbandry, while at the same time retailers and dairies are exerting strong price pressure. In addition, legal regulations are being tightened further, e.g. through the Fertilizer Ordinance or material flow balances and/or as a result of infringement proceedings by the EU The economic structures of modern agriculture have been undergoing enormous change for many years. The total number of farms has been declining for a long time, and the remaining farms are either having to expand, convert to organic farming or tap into new sources of income through farm diversification (e.g. farm vacations, rural tourism) due to the enormous economic pressure. Livestock farmers are particularly affected. Pressure on farms comes from various sides. For example, economic pressure from consumers and retailers is demanding both cheaper and ever more sustainable products. Nature conservation representatives and critical consumers are denouncing the intensification of agriculture and poor animal husbandry, while at the same time retailers and dairies are exerting strong price pressure. In addition, legal regulations are being tightened further, e.g. through the Fertilizer Ordinance or material flow balances and/or as a result of infringement proceedings by the EU.
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More Knowledge on Agricultural Landscapes with the NABU|naturagucker Academy
Agricultural landscapes make up 53 percent of the total land area in Germany today. Are you interested in learning more about these landscapes but not participating in the "Natura-2000 Manager" course? The NABU | naturgucker Academy offers a free online course covering grasslands, arable fields, fruit orchards, vineyards, farming methods, and their impact on nature, as well as the species found in these agricultural landscapes.
Further Reading
Statistics and information on agriculture and related topics:
- AMI Markets
- BLE Information Graphics
- BMEL Agriculture Statistics
- BMEL Ecological Agriculture Overview
- Farmers’ Association Situation Report
- EU CAP and Funding
Videos on Organic Farming, Weed Control, and CAP: