Step change needed to meet agriculture-related 2020 biodiversity targets

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) plays a central role in maintaining and enhancing biodiversity associated with agriculture, particularly by supporting environmental management, for example through the agri-environment measure. However, more needs to be done if the new target to halt the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystem services in the EU by 2020 is to be met.

A recent IEEP study for DG Agriculture, based on a thorough review of the relationship between agriculture and biodiversity and related policies, identified six key actions to improve the integration of biodiversity concerns into the CAP:

  1. Full implementation and adequate enforcement of the legislative framework underpinning the protection of Europe’s biodiversity, to provide a foundation for other policies;
  2. An increase in policy and political commitments to achieving biodiversity goals and targets in relation to agriculture;
  3. Fuller integration of EU biodiversity priorities into all parts of the CAP, and translation of these priorities into meaningful actions in Member States;
  4. A Substantial increase in funding for biodiversity measures through the CAP;
  5. Improvements to the design and implementation of CAP measures to ensure they: address concrete priorities, resolve issues with the eligibility of semi-natural habitats for CAP payments, give more emphasis to advice and support, encourage innovation in fostering sustainable land management, and increase the area over which agricultural biodiversity is delivered; and
  6. Full recognition of the essential role of monitoring and evaluation in the development of effective and efficient policy instruments.

It is hoped that the study’s recommendations will be taken into account during negotiations on the proposals for the 2014-2020 CAP, so that it can play its part in achieving the step change needed to achieve biodiversity goals by encouraging farming practices more conscious of their impact on species and habitats.

For further information, contact Jana Polakova