Presentation Transcript

1. 20/12/2013Agro environmental co-operations in Flanders (agrobeheergroepen)Groupe de Bruges' conference "Territorial cooperation for the provision of public goods in the context of the CAP Reform"Sven Defrijn
2. ECO²: oct 2008 – sept 2010 ECO²-bis : oct2010 – sept 2012 From 24 sept. 2012: Initiative of With the support of Knowledge economy and innovation Continuation of Problem setting/background ECOlogical: demand for biodiversity, climate change mitigation, environmental management Large scale nature and water development projects (Nature 2000, natural flooding areas, nature compensation for industry, land development projects …) Economic impact on farms  Need for economic compensation/diversification Need for nature and landscape management Demand for farmer engagement Effectiveness of agro environmental measures Need for more sitespecific approach and collaboration ECOnomical: opportunities for farmers in landscape and nature management ECO²= ECOnomy x ECOlogy
3. ECO²: oct 2008 – sept 2010 From 24 sept. 2012: Continuation of Umbrellaorganisation of AEC’s in Flanders Centre of excellence on agro nature management ECO²-bis : oct2010 – sept 2012 Stimulateand support the collaborationbetweenfarmersonnatureand landscape management AEC’s in Flanders  Agro environmental co-operations With support of Boerenbond, ABS, agro|bedrijfshulp, VLM, ANB and ADLO
4. AEC’s in Flanders Farmers initiative lead by farmers cooperation of farmers collaborating on delivering green and blue services within an economic farming perspective in a specified region Sharing of work, knowledge, experience, equipment, vision Landscape, nature, water management Focus on active farmers Win-win for economy and ecology Local initiatives, site-specific approach
5. Water conservation AEC’s in Flanders Level controlled drainage Ditch management Botanic diversity Meadow birds Grassland biodiversity Dams Bees Farmland Birds Hollow roads, hedgerows, hedges,… Functional agrobiodiversity Landscape management Soil conservation Cropland biodiversity
6. Example: management of hollow ways
7. Example: management of hollowways Problem: often no systematic management Solution: management agreementswith FLA But: Management plan needed Needstobemanagedentirely (lengthandwidth) PROBLEM: - 1 hollow way= different adjacent farmers Solution via AEC Alladjacent farmers adoptindividual management agreements (and get financial compensation) Farmers transfer a percentage of the financial support to the group 1 or more farmers carry out the management at market pricesaccordingto a management plan
8. Benefits of AEC’s Higherparticipation Active involvement of farmers Efficiency Sitespecificapproach Effectiveness Sustainability of initiatives Knowledge transfer andeducation Fostering of innovations Opportunitiesforcollaboration Single contact points (Lower public transaction costs) Professional support
9. government Currentsituation Individualmanagement agreement Farmer A Farmer B Farmer Z Taxes on integral fee … Agreementbetweenindividual farmers and AEC AEC ~ 75% of the management costsavailable = compensationforincomeloss Executing farmer Taxed as contractor = compensationfor extra costs (management, planting, installation, transaction…)

10. Suggestions for future policy on collectives in CAP

11. government Futuresituation ? Collective management agreement Farmer A Farmer Z Farmer B … Individualagreement Taxes AEC 100% of the management costsavailable extra administrativecostsfor the AEC complicatescertainpennalties = compensationforincomeloss Executing farmer Taxes = compensationfor extra costs (management, planting, installation, transaction…)
12. government Futuresituation ? Individualagreement Farmer A Farmer Z Farmer B … Taxes Collective management agreement AEC 100% of the management costsavailable = compensationforincomeloss Executing farmer Taxes = compensationfor extra costs (management, planting, installation, transaction…)
13. Suggestions for future policy on collectives Collectivesas final beneficiary Minimize additional administrative burden related to the legal structure: If a simple association is possible (in that case : joint liability of participants)  beneficiary = AEC If corporation is needed: an umbrella-organisation is recommended beneficiary = ABC Eco² vzw (non-profit organisation)
14. Suggestions for future policy on collectives Fees to the collective Compensation for additional administration, co-ordination and operating costs Via transaction fees? Other possibilities? Breakdown : Income-loss : to the individual farmer Management-, transaction/organisation costs : to the collective
15. Suggestions for future policy on collectives Control on infringements / penalties in relation to collective management Collective management needs adapted penalty system: In general : penalties only applicable to the particular agreement Error onto : Area :responsibility individual farmer  penalty for individual farmer Management : responsibility : AEC  penalty for the AEC (or umbrella-org.)
16. More info: info@agrobeheercentrum.be www.agrobeheercentrum.be +32 16 28 64 64