High Nature Value (HNV) farming
Why is this a priority?
HNV farming systems are inherently high in wildlife value and produce other environmental benefits including carbon storage, clean water and landscapes that help wildlife adapt to climate change. However, they often receive little or no current CAP support and urgent solutions are needed to support the economic viability of these environmentally beneficial and culturally-rich farming systems to ensure their continued existence.
- Although HNV is mentioned several times in the proposals[1], the regulation is virtually silent on the issue of support for HNV farms or measures for HNV farming. Less Favoured Area (LFA) funding remains the main, but deeply inadequate, means of support. Changes to the way Pillar I payments are distributed within Member States and a new payment for areas with specific natural constraints may provide an important source of new funding to these areas, which are often synonymous with HNV farming, but only if they are utilised in a targeted way.
- A thematic sub-program on HNV should be established and made mandatory in Member States RDPs to ensure coherent support and protection for HNV systems.
Further reading:
Full BirdLife briefing on CAP reform
BirdLife Europe publications on agriculture and CAP
Video: Why we need a green reform of the CAP now, 2012
Contact:
Trees Robijns, trees.robijns(at)birdlife.org
[1] In the priorities of the proposal article 5.4a “for restoring and preserving biodiversity”; in the measure article 18 “investment in physical assets” (which includes tangible or non-tangible investments for HNV) and in article 21 “basic services and village renewal in the rural areas” (which covers Natura 2000 management plans, protection and other HNV areas).
Supported by RSPB, UK.
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