AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME ÖPUL 2015 AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND NATURE
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME ÖPUL 2015 AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND NATURE
IMPRINT
IMPRINT
Owner and Editor:
REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA, REPRESENTED BY THE FEDERAL MINISTER
OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY, ENVIRONMENT AND WATER MANAGEMENT
Stubenring 1, 1010 Vienna
www.bmlfuw.gv.at
Text and editorial services: Isabella Grandl, Lukas Weber-Hajszan and Thomas Neudorfer
Graphic design: Isabella Grandl
Photo sources: Cover/p. 19: BMLFUW/Pixhunter
p. 4, p. 8, p. 9, p. 10 centre, p. 12, p. 16, p. 19 left, p. 29 left, p. 30: BMLFUW/Alexander Haiden
p. 10 left: NP Donau-Auen/Kurt Kracher, p. 10 right: NP Thayatal/V. Krivan
p. 19 right, p. 21, p. 25, p. 27, p. 29 centre and right: agrarfoto.com
p. 23 left: AMA, p. 23 centre and right: Andreas Rebernig
Graphic sources: p. 6, p. 13, p. 14, p. 15: images owned by BMLFUW/Dir. II/3
p. 15: ppt "Die GAP bis 2020 Rechtsvorschläge" (2011) (DG Agri), last accessed on 19 Nov. 2015, adapted by BMLFUW/Dir. II/3
Design concept: WIEN NORD advertising agency
Translation: RIVA TRANSLATION - www.riva.at
Information: abt.23@bmlfuw.gv.at
1st edition
ISBN 978-3-903129-22-1
All rights reserved. Original copy printed by Petz Druck GmbH, UW 1198;
printed in accordance with the Austrian Ecolabel guidelines
Vienna, November 2016 for printed paper products.
-- 2 --
FOREWORD
ECO-FRIENDLY FARMING – COMPENSATION FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
ENVIRONMENTALLY COMPATIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE, which uses
natural resources sparingly, is a hallmark of Austria's vibrant rural areas and of a country worth living in.
Our family-run farms form the backbone of area-wide agriculture capable of efficient production. They are a
model for the future, pointing the way to sustainable development in the agricultural sector. My agricultural
policy pays specific attention to the maintenance of such agricultural structures and their economic viability.
With ÖPUL, Austria's Agri-environmental Programme, we have been setting priorities for the protection of
biodiversity, the preservation of fertile soils, the provision of pure water and for climate protection for two
decades. The path towards organic farming, which Austria chose early on, has proved to be very forward-
looking and is seen today as a role model for many other countries. The high level of participation of agri-
cultural holdings in ÖPUL, from the very beginning, shows that our farmers attach great value to environ-
mentally responsible farming, and are determined to manage their farms according to these principles.
The new and meanwhile fifth ÖPUL (available since 2015) offers a broad variety of targeted measures. The
new ÖPUL measures form a solid basis, ensuring ecological and area-wide agriculture in Austria, which
supplies us with food of the highest quality. At present, we are witnessing a growing awareness in our socie-
ty of environmentally sound agricultural production, which we have been seeking to address with ÖPUL
measures for many years. It is a great matter of concern to me to develop this positive trend further and to
support it effectively.
The guiding principle of my agricultural policy is therefore geared to two central aspects: to ensure that our
farmers receive appropriate and fair compensation for their services, and to provide a forward-looking policy
which works on joint solutions, encourages innovation and creative ideas, and gives priority to the sustaina-
ble coexistence of mankind and the environment.
ANDRÄ RUPPRECHTER
Federal Minister of Agriculture, Forestry,
Environment and Water Management
-- 3 --
-- 4 --
ÖPUL FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY
OUR FAMILY-RUN FARMS and their Farmers taking part in ÖPUL receive financial
modern, sustainable and area-wide agriculture compensation for services they provide in addi-
make an essential contribution to Austria's viable tion to the statutory requirements and that are
rural areas and high quality of life. In Austria, subject to different management requirements in
agricultural management practices that are active, the interest of the environment, of animals and
competitive and, at the same time, use natural climate protection. This not only raises the farm-
resources sparingly help to ensure long-term food ers' awareness of environmentally sound agricul-
security based on high-quality foods, the tending tural production methods, environment protection
and preservation of cultivated landscapes rich in and nature conservation matters, it also supports
biodiversity, and protection against natural haz- farmers in making a deliberate choice in favour of
ards. sustainable agricultural management.
The Agri-environmental Programme (ÖPUL),
20 YEARS OF ÖPUL: TAKING STOCK
Austria's programme for the promotion of an
agricultural management system which is envi- ÖPUL, Austria's Agri-environmental Programme,
ronmentally compatible, extensive and protective was offered the first time on the occasion of Aus-
of natural habitats, plays a significant role in en- tria's accession to the European Union in 1995.
suring the sustainable management of natural As there had been various measures promoting
resources and the preservation of Austria's culti- ecological farming before that, some were seam-
vated landscapes rich in species and structural lessly incorporated into the ÖPUL. From the very
diversity by granting payments to farmers for beginning, the key focus in Austria was on area-
environmental services. Wild-flower strips along wide and environmentally compatible manage-
field boundaries, for example, which are created ment of farmland. Up until 1999, the Agri-
in the context of ÖPUL, serve biodiversity and environmental Programme was an independently
genetic diversity just as much as they invoke run programme. With the reform of the European
enjoyment in those seeking recreation. Farming Union's Common Agricultural Policy in 2000,
the alpine pastures and mountain areas is a major ÖPUL was merged together with other measures,
factor in preserving the cultivated landscape and such as mountain farmer support, educational
contributes essentially towards protecting against measures or investment promotion schemes, into
natural hazards. At the same time, such services the Austrian Programme for Rural Development.
are of inestimable value for tourism and nature
conservation. Incentives to encourage water- ÖPUL 2015 is currently Austria's fifth Agri-
friendly management practices promote innova- environmental Programme. Over the past twenty
tive systems of land management and help to years, there have been some major changes in the
ensure high-quality drinking water. Landscape general statutory and economic conditions, as
features and targeted nature conservation well as in the demands which society places on
measures provide habitats for birds, insects and agriculture. In the course of the years – from
butterflies and enrich the cultivated landscape. ÖPUL 95 to ÖPUL 98, from ÖPUL 2000 and
ÖPUL 2007 to the latest ÖPUL 2015 programme
Austria's Agri-environmental Programme (ÖPUL) – the programme contents were developed further,
pursues an integral and horizontal approach and and adjustments were made to the strategic orien-
seeks to achieve maximum participation of agri- tation and the content-related processing. Raising
cultural holdings across all nine Federal Provinces. the level of legally required environmental stand-
ards impacts the Agri-environmental Programmes,
-- 5 --
ÖPUL FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY
because only those activities are eligible in terms In 2015, a total of 91,137 agricultural holdings
of ÖPUL which exceed the legal minimum of participated in ÖPUL, which is approx. 80 per-
requirements. On account of the higher require- cent of the farms recorded in the IACS (Integrated
ments, e.g. concerning the application of plant Administration and Control System). The total
protection products, the integrated production area of land for which ÖPUL support was granted
ÖPUL measures, offered since 1995, can no in 2015 was 1.75 million hectares (without alpine
longer be provided in ÖPUL 2015. areas), which equals a share of around 77 percent
of agriculturally used areas (without alpine pas-
The participation rates in ÖPUL, which – all tures). With this high level of participation in its
things considered – have remained high, demon- Agri-environmental Programme, Austria has posi-
strate the great willingness exhibited by Austria's tioned itself as one of the leading EU Member
farmers to employ environmentally compatible States. In total, 382.7 million euros were paid for
management systems, even though there has been services in the context of ÖPUL in 2015.
a certain trend towards free market orientation,
with as few additional obligations as possible, has
been observed in recent years.
-- 6 --
ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES OF THE
AUSTRIAN AGRICULTURAL POLICY
ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND ture and other sectors; to support agriculture to
LAND MANAGEMENT is a key objective of enable it to balance natural disadvantages; to
the European agricultural policy. The higher- encourage market-oriented production, processing
ranking objectives of the Common Agricultural and marketing; to safeguard optimum supply of
Policy (CAP) date back to the Treaty Establishing the population with high-quality food and prod-
the European Economic Community (EEC Trea- ucts and the natural assets of soil, water, and air
ty) of 1957 and can still be found, more or less and to preserve and shape the cultivated and rec-
identical, in the Treaty on the Functioning of the reational landscape.
European Union (TFEU). The CAP objectives
comprise the following: to increase agricultural Since its very beginning, the EU's Common Agri-
productivity by promoting technical progress and cultural Policy has undergone several reforms. To
ensuring the optimum use of the factors of pro- achieve the CAP objectives, two central instru-
duction, in particular labour; to ensure a fair ments have been available since 2003. On the one
standard of living for farmers; to stabilise mar- hand, the basis for competitive agricultural pro-
kets; to ensure the availability of supplies; to duction and corresponding income from agricul-
ensure reasonable prices for consumers. Accord- tural activities is provided by direct payments
ingly, the CAP objectives primarily comprise (CAP Pillar I), fully financed by the Community.
both economic and social aspects and do not im- Over the years the direct payments were increas-
mediately suggest any consideration of the eco- ingly also linked to meeting environmental re-
logical dimension. This may be because these quirements, such as cross compliance, i.e. main-
objectives were formulated in the founding years taining environment, food safety and animal pro-
of the EU (EEC), at a time when priority was tection standards, as well as greening, i.e. specific
given to securing the population's food supplies. crop rotation requirements in terms of crop diver-
In the EU's real agricultural policy, however, the sification, preserving permanent grassland and
protection of resources resp. sustainability has dedicating arable land to ecological focus areas.
been playing a fundamental role as a cross-cutting
topic for decades. Introduced as the second central instrument, rural
support programmes, co-financed by the EU, are
The guiding principle of the Austrian agricultural intended to support the sustainable development
policy is small-farm agriculture which is competi- of rural regions. Such support programmes may
tive, environmentally sound and area-wide. The provide measures that benefit agricultural and
objectives of the Austrian agricultural policy are forestry holdings, processing and marketing oper-
laid down in the Agriculture Act of 1992. With ations, as well as other players involved in re-
regard to the CAP objectives, it aims to preserve gional development. The 2014-2020 Austrian
a viable, economically sound, farm-based and Rural Development Programme covers fifteen
national promotion measures, four of which are
socially oriented agriculture in an intact rural area.
implemented under ÖPUL 2015.
Further goals are to promote manifold earning
and employment combinations between agricul-
-- 7 --
REWARDING FARMERS FOR ADDED National and European environmental laws and
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES regulations aim at raising the environmental
quality. These imposed standards reduce the
Austria's agriculture is characterised by small- farmers' overall production yields. The most im-
scale structures and family-run farms, which pro- portant statutory regulations for farmers in Aus-
duce high-quality food products. Land cultivation tria are, among others, the soil protection and
primarily aims at the production of private goods nature conservation laws issued by the Federal
such as cereals, dairy products, meat, vegetables Provinces, the Water Law Act including the "Ac-
or biomass. At the same time, agricultural activi- tion Programme Nitrates", the Plant Protection
ties create and preserve valuable ecosystems and Product Act and the associated action programme
help to maintain the cultivated landscape as well issued by the Federal Provinces, as well as the
as biodiversity. This requires management prac- Austrian Animal Protection Act. A tightening of a
tices that are appropriate to the locality and, quite country's environmental legislation increases the
generally, the maintenance of land utilisation, risk of operations becoming less competitive due
particularly in mountainous areas. to higher production costs and, in the worst case,
of operations being forced out of the market by
The discontinuation of land management at a producers from countries with lower environmen-
certain location can lead to the loss of open and tal standards.
well cared for cultivated landscapes through the
spread of woodland and scrub. This results in However, society often expects environmental
declining populations of animal and plant species quality that exceeds the legal minimum. That is
that depend on land management. Over-intensive the reason why many Member States offer volun-
land management, on the other hand, can also tary measures, financed by public funds, which
have adverse external effects, which might in- have a positive impact on environmental quality.
clude environmental impacts such as the loss of Efforts are increasingly being made to compen-
biodiversity, groundwater and surface water pol- sate for higher environmental and animal protec-
lution, the loss of nutrient-rich soils, or accelerat- tion standards by means of quality labels or pro-
ed soil erosion. In accordance with the relevant duction certificates. In this respect, the Austrian
objectives at the European and national level, the AMA quality seal or the labelling of organic or
Austrian agricultural policy is successful in en- hay-milk products are worth mentioning. In such
hancing the environmental quality in rural areas cases, consumers are willing to pay a correspond-
by implementing a broad range of statutory and ingly higher market price for particularly envi-
voluntary measures. ronmentally friendly production methods.
-- 8 --
MEETING CHALLENGES WITH AGRI- High water quality all over Austria, despite
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES regional challenges
The current environmental situation in Austria is Almost all of Austria's surface waters and the
continuously monitored and evaluated. Legal majority of its groundwater exhibit good to very
requirements are imposed and voluntary measures good water quality. The maintenance and system-
are taken in an attempt to cope with the challeng- atic improvement of the groundwater and surface
es relating to the protected assets soil, water, cli- water conditions are evaluated using the National
mate, air, animals and plants in the best possible Water Management Plan (“Nationaler Gewässer-
way. Due to its topographical features and its schutzplan”, NGP) and corresponding measures
traditionally grown agricultural structure, the are recommended. The material pollution of
conditions in Austria are favourable for the groundwater and surface water bodies is generally
preservation of a high environmental quality. low in Austria. Particularly in areas with a high
proportion of arable land, however, the thresholds
Decline in biodiversity in agriculturally char- for water pollution are currently exceeded, which
acterised habitats is why the ÖPUL water protection measures are
systematically adopted in regions affected by this
Potential risks for agricultural biodiversity are the problem. The provided ÖPUL measures support
use intensification in agriculture and the aban- water-friendly management practices and reduce
donment of agricultural use in endangered grass- the leaching of nutrients. In some areas with spe-
land habitats. For example, farmland areas with a cific problems, these measures were successful in
High Nature Value Farmland (HNVF) or the either solving the problems completely or reduc-
Farmland Bird Index (FBI) have shown a contin- ing them to a minimum.
uous decline in recent years. In this respect it
must be taken into consideration that the men- Generally good soil quality –
tioned indicators are not only influenced by agri- the major issue land consumption
cultural activities, but also by other factors such
as settlement, traffic and industrial activities. The soil conditions in Austria are generally rated
Around 15 percent of Austria’s federal territory as good. Successfully implemented measures in
are Natura 2000 areas within the Europe-wide the context of the Agri-environmental Programme
network of protected areas; around eleven percent are employed to prevent soil erosion, soil com-
of these are agricultural land. To preserve and paction, loss of organic substance and local and
improve natural habitats, further efforts are neces- diffuse pollution. With the strong commitment of
sary, which are specifically addressed by means Austria’s agriculture towards soil-friendly and
of the ÖPUL measures. humus-promoting management practices, it is
-- 9 --
possible to raise the humus content in arable land Given the Kyoto objectives, sustainable, low-
locations, improving the soil's buffering, filtering emission livestock-farming and, in particular,
and sorption capacity. In an international compar- low-emission cattle farming, point the way ahead
ison, Austria has a relatively high rate of land in regards to livestock husbandry systems. Pasture
consumption, which particularly affects agricul- management, for example, not only reflects socie-
turally used areas, which therefore ultimately are ty's understanding of animal welfare best, but it
no longer useable for agricultural production. also supports grassland preservation. Given the
positive impact on lowering greenhouse gases, the
The global warming challenge and extension of the grazing period and an increase in
low-emission agriculture the number of grazing animals are also encour-
aged under the 2015-2018 action programme in
Extreme-weather events, such as drought periods, accordance with the Climate Protection Act. An
heavy rainfall, gale-force winds or sudden late optimal feed quality helps to reduce emissions per
frost, are becoming an increasingly common fea- product unit.
ture and pose a serious challenge for Austria's
agriculture. Even though the contribution of Aus-
tria's agricultural activities to climate change is
minor (around ten percent of CO2 emissions),
agriculture is called upon to contribute to low-
carbon and climate-resilient land management.
This is in the interest of agriculture itself and is
promoted by corresponding funding programmes.
The effects of continuous soil sealing and the
changes in land use can result in a serious loss of
valuable carbon sinks and require addressing,
particularly where spatial planning is concerned.
In light of increased global warming, considera-
tion must also be given to the need for wildlife
corridors to enable the migration of fauna and
flora species. Such nature preservation concerns
can be satisfied by adopting targeted measures to
preserve diverse landscape features.
-- 10 --GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT
OF ÖPUL 2015
THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT Regulation (EU) No. 1305/2013 lays down the
PROGRAMME (RD Programme, Rural Devel- steps in the programme and measure planning
opment) is embedded in the Common Agricultur- procedure, which must also be reflected in the
al Policy (CAP) of the European Union and repre-
wording of the programme. Based on an extensive
sents what is referred to as the second pillar of the
analysis of the situation in terms of strengths,
EU’s agricultural policy. In contrast to the first
weaknesses, opportunities and threats, the nation-
pillar of the CAP, the common market organisa-
al needs are defined, which are addressed by a
tion and the direct payments, the Rural Develop-
national strategy to implement the 2014-2020
ment programme is distinguished by national
programmes drafted by the Member States in Rural Development Programme with correspond-
coordination with the European Commission. The ing measures.
European Union provides the framework for
drafting the programmes, and the programmes On the basis of the strategy development and,
developed by the Member States are approved by partially, in parallel to it, the respective measures
the European Commission. are drawn up, which are submitted to the Europe-
an Commission after being approved by the Fed-
Unlike the first CAP pillar, it is necessary to eral Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Environ-
provide national co-financing for the national ment and Water Management. Together with
Rural Development Programmes in order to be programme submission it is also necessary to
able to receive financial support from the EU. present an ex-ante analysis of the provided
The flexibility offered by the programmes allows measures' expected impact on the identified needs.
the Member States to create regionally adapted The European Commission assesses the submitted
drafts and adopts the programmes. The Austrian
programmes that suit the specific needs in the
Rural Development Programme was one of the
country.
first European programmes to be adopted for the
period 2014-2020. During and after the pro-
In the case of Rural Development, Regulation
gramme and measure implementation, the indi-
(EU) No. 1305/2013 on support for rural devel-
vidual measures are subject to continuous evalua-
opment and the so-called horizontal regulation,
tion. (See the figure below.)
Regulation (EU) No. 1306/2013 on the financing,
management and monitoring of the common
agricultural policy are of particular significance.
-- 11 --GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ÖPUL 2015
-- 12 --GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ÖPUL 2015
Austria’s Rural Development Programme for the environmental Programme, the measures "Organ-
2014-2020 period is incorporated in the European ic farming" and "Animal welfare" received an
Union's Common Strategic Framework (CSF). upgrade. The 14-20 RD Programme is especially
With a clear set of targets, it contributes to six focused on making Austria's agriculture more
thematic priorities. These priorities provide the innovative, professional and competitive. At the
framework for the support measures under the same time, the aim is to proceed with consistency
14-20 RD Programme. Derived from the Europe along the chosen path towards an environmentally
2020 Strategy and the Common Strategic Frame- sound, extensive agricultural sector which is pro-
work, a national partnership contract (PSC) for all tective of natural habitats.
EU funds must be developed, which covers the
respective amounts to attain the objectives and the ÖPUL 2015 was conceived as a follow-up pro-
allocation of funding. The Austrian Partnership gramme to ÖPUL 2007. In essential areas it was
Contract is devised using a broad-based participa- developed further to increase the likeliness of
tion process under the leadership of the Austrian achieving the environmental goals. The goals
Conference on Spatial Planning (ÖROK). Due to were developed further on the basis of evaluations
the consistent process from the Europe 2020 and reviews of past Agri-environmental Pro-
Strategy to the Rural Development Programme grammes, amendments to national environmental
measures, coherent programme development is provisions and framework conditions, as well as
preordained and necessary. adapted legal standards of the European Commis-
sion. The individual ÖPUL measures were devel-
ÖPUL 2015 AS A KEY 14-20 RD MEASURE oped in a participation process which included
stakeholders and representatives of special inter-
ÖPUL 2015 still accounts for a large proportion
est groups. Importance was attached to ensuring
of the payments made in the context of the 2014-
that the favourable effect of each ÖPUL measure
2020 RD Programme. In total, around forty per-
on the quality of the environment was scientifical-
cent of RD payments of the entire period are paid
ly proven, justifiable, verifiable and evaluable.
via ÖPUL 2015. Compared to the previous period,
The controllability of requirements is a key crite-
the Rural Development Programme was estab-
rion when developing the individual conditions
lished on a broader basis, and the payments were
for eligibility.
increased in fields like basic services and village
renewal in rural areas or investment in physical
ÖPUL 2015 is implemented in the course of a
assets. This enhanced the value of some project
Special Ordinance issued by the Federal Ministry
measures, for instance ones with a strong link to
(in short: ÖPUL-SRL) on the basis of private-
biodiversity. Under the ÖPUL 2015 Agri-
sector administration. Both the 14-20 RD Pro-
-- 13 --GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ÖPUL 2015
gramme and the national Special Ordinance de- The commitments made in the context of ÖPUL
fine the general and measure-specific eligibility 2015 must be fulfilled for a period of at least five
conditions, which serve as a basis for the private years, with the exception of the three ÖPUL
business contract concluded between the manag- measures animal welfare/grazing of livestock,
ers of agricultural holdings and the Federal State animal welfare/stable and Natura 2000 agriculture,
as funding body. as to which it is also possible to participate for the
term of one year.
The measures implemented under ÖPUL corre-
spond to Articles 28, 29, 30 and 33 in Regulation The details of all funding applications submitted
(EU) No. 1305/2013. ÖPUL 2015 consequently by applicants are checked for plausibility and
implements the four area-based 14-20 RD Pro- accuracy. Pursuant to the European Union legisla-
gramme measures: the agri-environment climate tion, five percent of all farms participating in
measure, the organic farming measures, the Natu- ÖPUL are checked on site for compliance with
ra 2000 and Water Framework Directive pay- the criteria for receiving subsidies.
ments measure and the animal welfare measure.
All in all, ÖPUL 2015 comprises nineteen agri- OBJECTIVES AND PRIORITIES OF
environment climate measures, one organic farm- ÖPUL 2015
ing measure, two animal welfare measures and
The content-related priorities under ÖPUL 2015
one Natura 2000-agriculture measure.
are particularly covered by Priority 4 "Restoring,
preserving and enhancing ecosystems depending
The payments for services are granted annually
and serve to compensate the farms participating in on agriculture and forestry" and Priority 5 "Sup-
ÖPUL for all or part of the additional costs and porting resource efficiency and the shift towards a
income foregone, resulting from the commitments low-carbon and climate resilient economy in agri-
made. This means that the actual costs of the culture, food and forestry sectors".
environmental services are compensated for based
on a standard cost calculation. In the calculation, In the context of the uniform intervention logic
"costs" (for example, reduced yield or additional applied throughout the European Union to attain
work and expense) are offset against savings and the desired targets, ÖPUL 2015 particularly pur-
additional earnings. sues the following strategic priority areas which
are specifically addressed by corresponding
ÖPUL measures:
– Restoring, preserving and enhancing of biodi-
versity, also of Natura 2000 sites, and in areas
facing natural or other specific constraints, and
of high nature value farming, as well as of the
state of European landscapes
– Preventing soil erosion and improving soil
management
Any overlaps in services caused by combining – Improving water management, including ferti-
different measures are either avoided by defining lizer and pesticide management
permitted measure combinations or are taken into
account in the calculation. When defining the – Fostering carbon conservation and sequestration
eligibility criteria particular attention was given to in agriculturally used soils by implementing
ensuring that double funding and deadweight humus-promoting management practices
effects were excluded.
– Reducing greenhouse gas and ammonia emis-
sions from agriculture and fostering carbon
-- 14 --GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ÖPUL 2015
conservation and sequestration as well as hu- – Agricultural training and raising farmers'
mus preservation awareness of the potential and added value of
the ÖPUL measures and, in particular, of envi-
– Promoting quality regulations taking into ac- ronmentally sound systems of land manage-
count animal welfare standards and promotion ment that use natural resources sparingly
of pasture grazing and straw bedding
– Fostering competitiveness by specifically pro-
– Fostering innovation, cooperation, and the de- moting environmentally friendly production
velopment of the knowledge base in rural areas methods and management systems adapted to
climate change
-- 15 ---- 16 --
CONTENT-RELATED DETAILS OF THE MEASURES
ÖPUL PURSUES broad and focused
approaches in order to reach the set environmen-
tal objectives. With areas being managed in ac-
cordance with the requirements throughout Aus-
tria, broad measures have an area-wide effect.
Focused requirements aim at achieving a certain
effect in areas with specific protection needs. The
majority of the ÖPUL measures are intended to
achieve multiple goals in the maintenance and
enhancement of the environmental situation. Ac- Depending on the measure, it is possible to partic-
cordingly, the various ÖPUL measures usually ipate either with an individual area or with the
have favourable effects on more than one subject entire farm. It is also possible to choose combina-
of protection at the same time. This particularly tions of measures that are specifically adapted to
applies to broad approaches, as pursued by the each other. During the commitment period, it is in
measures "Environmentally sound and biodiversi- some cases also possible to shift to a higher-value
ty-promoting management", "Limitation of yield- measure, for example from "Environmentally
increasing inputs" or "Organic farming". sound and biodiversity-promoting management"
into the "Organic farming" measure.
In the area of biodiversity, an environmentally
compatible and sustainable agriculture is support- In some measures, the attendance of specialised
ed by a wide variety of measures in all of Austria courses is a key criterion for eligibility. A number
– for example by creating areas on which flower- of educational institutions, for instance rural fur-
ing plants are grown, maintaining grassland and ther education institutions (Ländliche Fortbild-
landscape features in the agricultural landscape ungsinstitute, LFI), the Austrian association for
and promoting organic farming practices. agricultural engineering and rural development
(Österreichisches Kuratorium für Landtechnik
Where soil fertility is concerned, the greening of und Landentwicklung, ÖKL) or the teaching and
arable land, the maintenance of grassland, organic research centre (LFZ) Raumberg-Gumpenstein
farming and vocational education and training are offer a range of educational options on topics
broadly effective approaches. such as biodiversity, fertilizer management or
erosion, climate, water and plant protection. The
In the area of water protection, regionally focused extensive range of professional further-education
measures are offered as priorities, alongside and training measures thus help to improve un-
broadly effective measures, such as the "Greening derstanding and raise awareness, particularly with
of arable land". To this end, a regional scenario regard to the application of environmentally com-
was created for areas with raised concentrations patible management practices and the sustainable
of nutrients and pollutants and/or the risk of mate- use of natural resources.
rial contaminants entering groundwater and sur-
face waters. See below a detailed presentation of the effects of
ÖPUL 2015 on key priority areas and which man-
The graphic shows in which areas the measure agement practices are applied.
"preventative groundwater protection in arable
land" is being offered:
-- 17 --ÖPUL CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROMOTION OF GENETIC AND BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Measure Contribution Effect
Diverse landscape features and biodiversi-
Compensation for the creation and mainte-
ty areas ensure habitats and shelters for
Environmentally sound nance of valuable areas and structures such
many animal and plant species. In Austria,
and biodiversity-pro- as e.g. landscape features; at least 5 %
the implementation of this measure creates
moting management biodiversity areas; crop rotation require-
more than 70,000 hectares of biodiversity
ments and mandatory further training
areas.
Compensation for reduced yields due to the
renouncement of chemical-synthetic pesti- Intact agricultural nutrient cycles and
Limitation of yield-
cides on animal feed crops and grassland reduced use of pesticides and fertilizers
increasing inputs
and nitrogen fertilizers on arable and grass- foster biodiversity.
land
The renouncement of fungicides and
Compensation for reduced yield due to the
Renouncement of fungi- growth regulators has a favourable impact
renouncement of the use of chemical-
cides and growth regula- on soil organisms. The cultivation of
synthetic fungicides and growth regulators
tors in cereals resistant and site-specific species contrib-
in cereal crops
utes to genetic diversity.
Compensation for reduced yield due to the The preservation and development of
cultivation and use of rare and regionally genetic plant resources is necessary to
Cultivation of rare
valuable agricultural varieties and species achieve stable and crisis-resistant ecosys-
agricultural crops
of plants compared to high-yielding varie- tems and provides an important genetic
ties pool for future cultivation.
Rare livestock breeds are generally more
Compensation for reduced performance
resilient and better adapted to regional site
Maintenance of endan- due to the rearing and breeding of endan-
conditions and management systems, and
gered livestock breeds gered and highly endangered livestock
constitute an important genetic pool for
breeds
future breeding.
Later and less frequent mowing and a
Compensation for reduced yields due to
mosaic-like structure of land use foster
Renouncement of silage haymaking and the associated later first
biodiversity and offer habitats for wildlife
grass cut compared to silage making
and insects.
Open, cultivated alpine landscapes pro-
vide habitats for many plants and animals
Compensation for the added costs for the
Cultivation of mowed that depend on agricultural habitats. Non-
continued agricultural use of mowed
mountain grassland utilisation would lead to the loss of valua-
mountain meadows and steep slopes
ble biotopes due to the spread of scrub and
woodland.
Compensation for added costs or reduced Maintenance of an open, cultivated alpine
yields due to site-specific pasture manage- landscape by extensive, site-specific al-
Mountain grazing and ment on alpine grazing areas with sheep, pine pasture management and renounce-
herding goats, horses or cattle and for the additional ment of pesticides and fertilizers leads to
work and expense for the daily herding of great diversity of animals and plants on
animals alpine pastures.
Compensation for additional work and
The preservation of biotope network struc-
costs and/or reduced yields due to project
tures in agriculturally used areas contrib-
obligations for the extensive management
utes to the protection of animal and plant
Nature conservation of areas which are of value in terms of
species pursuant to the Birds and Habitats
nature conservation according to cross-
Directives and the 2020 EU Biodiversity
regional and result-oriented nature conser-
Strategy.
vation plans
Compensation for added costs/reduced
Intact agricultural nutrient cycles, the
yields due to organic farming of arable
renouncement of chemical-synthetic pesti-
land, grassland, permanent/special crops
Organic farming cides and mineral fertilizers, and diverse
pursuant to Regulation (EC) No. 834/2007
landscape features promote diversity in
(Eco-Regulation) and for the maintenance
animal and plant species.
of structural elements
In the context of the Natura 2000 obliga-
Compensation for added costs of managing
tion, bans on fertilizers and later cutting
grasslands in Natura 2000 and other areas
Natura 2000-Agriculture times in meadows and pastures support
due to the requirements associated with
the maintenance of agricultural ecosys-
protection areas
tems.
-- 18 --ÖPUL CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROMOTION OF GENETIC AND BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
CONTRIBUTION TO GENETIC AND
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
DUE TO THE VARIED geological, ge- Key ÖPUL approaches to maintain and increase
omorphic and climatic conditions of its natural genetic and biological diversity:
environment, Austria is rich in landscapes, habi-
tats and animal and plant species. For centuries, – Biodiversity areas, fallow land, areas on which
traditional systems of land management have flowering plants are grown and other patchwork
additionally contributed to the preservation of a structures meet a variety of ecological functions
great biological diversity in the smallest of spaces. and have a favourable effect on biodiversity and
However, as a result of growing productivity, and the number of individuals in agricultural land-
due to the increasingly technological nature of scapes. Targeted management commitments
agricultural management, there has been a notice- additionally contribute essentially to maintain
able decline in animal and plant species, as well these structures and their diverse functions in
as landscape structures, in agricultural landscapes the long term, thereby preserving agricultural
worldwide. habitats.
The preservation of biological and genetic diver- – Site-specific arable and grassland management
sity is crucial to ensuring the production bases for and targeted biodiversity-promoting farming
healthy regional food in the long term. With a requirements promote high biodiversity and
broad variety of measures, ÖPUL 2015 makes a protect sensitive habitats.
vital contribution to the implementation and
maintenance of site-specific and environmentally – Measures such as limiting the share of cereals
compatible systems of agricultural management. and maize in crop rotation and promoting cer-
In doing so, it provides an essential foundation for tain flowering crops and organic farming helps
the preservation and development of animal and to ensure the continued cultivation of alterna-
plant biodiversity in Austrian agricultural land- tive crops to maintain agricultural biodiversity
scapes, promotes the protection of endangered and the important role of field forage, e.g. clo-
and the maintenance of rare agricultural animal ver, in crop composition.
and plant species, making a significant contribu-
tion to the attainment of the objectives of both the – Activities such as rearing endangered livestock
European and the Austrian Biodiversity Strategy breeds and growing rare agricultural crops also
by 2020. significantly support the preservation of an ex-
tensive and crisis-resistant genetic pool for an-
imals and plants.
-- 19 --ÖPUL CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROMOTION OF SOIL FERTILITY
Measure Contribution Effect
Compensation for the additional work and
The preservation of landscape features,
costs for the maintenance and creation of
Environmentally sound the creation of biodiversity areas and the
agriculturally used areas and structures of
and biodiversity-pro- renouncement of ploughing up grassland
ecological value, the preservation of land-
moting management help significantly to protect agriculturally
scape features, and for the creation of bio-
used soils from wind and water erosion.
diversity areas
Compensation for added costs resulting
from the active development of area-wide Regular greening reduces nitrogen levels
Greening of arable land greening between two main crops, re- in water bodies. Moreover, dense greening
– intermediate crops nouncement of nitrogen fertilizers and with a biomass of e.g. around 4 t/hectare
pesticides and tillage operations, through- reduces soil erosion by more than 20%.
out the greening period
Compensation for added costs resulting
from the active development of area-wide
Year-round, area-wide greening of arable
greening on at least 85 % of the arable land
areas contributes essentially towards re-
Greening of arable land the whole year round (by growing main
duced soil erosion. The increased share of
– "Evergreen" system and intermediate crops), renouncement of
perennial field forage in crop rotation
nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides as well as
promotes soil fertility.
of tillage operations throughout the green-
ing period
Compensation for added costs and/or re-
Direct seeding and seed- Applying low-impact tillage methods
duced yields due to cultivation methods
ing on mulch (incl. strip reduces wind and water erosion while the
such as direct seeding and seeding on
till) successive main crops are growing.
mulch or strip till
Area-wide greening of machine tracks and
Compensation for added costs due to active reduced soil treatment protect against
Erosion protection in
area-wide greening of machine tracks in wind and water erosion, promote carbon
fruit, vineyards and hops
vineyards, fruit and hops conservation and sequestration in the soil
and promote soil fertility.
Compensation for land set aside by estab- A permanent, hardy green cover along the
Preventative surface lishing a minimum 12-metre buffer strip banks of rivers or streams, particularly
water protection on adjacent to rivers or streams or by preserv- along arable areas threatened by leaching,
arable land ing existing, greened buffer strips along the leads to a significant reduction in soil
banks of rivers or streams erosion.
Diversified crop rotation and the preserva-
Compensation for added costs/reduced
tion of permanent grassland enhance the
yields due to organic farming of arable
soil fertility. Equally, intact agricultural
land, grassland, permanent/special crops
Organic farming nutrient cycles, the renouncement of pes-
pursuant to Regulation (EC) No. 834/2007
ticides and mineral fertilizers and the
(Eco-Regulation) and for the maintenance
preservation of existing landscape features
of grassland and landscape features
support the maintenance of fertile soils.
-- 20 --ÖPUL CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROMOTION OF SOIL FERTILITY
CONTRIBUTION TO SOIL FERTILITY
HEALTHY, FERTILE SOILS are a – Landscape features such as hedgerows and
key life resource for human beings, animals and copses provide crucial protection against wind
plants. Agriculturally used soils fulfil irreplacea- and water erosion.
ble buffer, filter and storage functions. Healthy
soils store water, regulate nutrient cycles and help – Year-round soil cover, for example permanent
to prevent pollutants from entering the groundwa- grassland, with arable areas covered with inter-
ter. Soils rich in humus have relatively high water mediate crops, or permanent, hardy buffer strips
storage capacities and take on a special function along water courses reduce soil erosion and ad-
as carbon sink. In Austria, the maintenance of ditionally minimise nutrient losses into ground-
management practices which promote and main- water and surface water. In orchards and vine-
tain humus is of essential significance in order to yards, greening the machine tracks also reduces
preserve soil fertility, even under changing cli- the risk of water erosion.
matic conditions, and additionally makes a con-
tribution toward climate protection. – Organic farming makes an important contribu-
tion to the maintenance of fertility in agricultur-
The majority of surface sealing for settlement, al soils. Diversified crop rotation provides for a
transport infrastructure and economic purposes is favourable nutrient balance in the soil. The cul-
at the expense of areas used for agriculture and tivation of plants such as alfalfa and clover
forestry. Additional risks for the resource soil are helps to build up organic substance (humus) in
wind and water erosion, as well as soil compac- the soil.
tion, which significantly reduces soil fertility.
Key ÖPUL approaches to maintain and enhance
soil fertility:
– Management systems which promote humus,
preserve nutrients and reduce erosion improve
the humus level in arable soils and, as a result,
enhance their buffer, filter and storage function.
This is supported by the establishment of green
covers, reduced soil treatment or crop rotation
with higher shares of field forage.
-- 21 --ÖPUL CONTRIBUTION TO WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
Measure Contribution Effect
Compensation for the additional work and Copses, hedgerows, shrubs and, in par-
Environmentally sound
expense for maintaining landscape features ticular, wooded banks on fields and mead-
and biodiversity-pro-
and for treating such features on or next to ows contribute significantly to water
moting management
farmland ecologically pollution control.
The renouncement of fungicides and
growth regulators has a favourable impact
Renouncement of fungi- Compensation for reduced yields due to the on water pollution control in surface water
cides and growth regula- renouncement of chemical-synthetic fungi- bodies and groundwater and makes a
tors in cereals cides and growth regulators in cereal crops valuable contribution to the safety of
drinking-water and the protection of
aquatic habitats.
Compensation for added costs due to the
Cultivating intermediate crops supports
active establishment of a crop (including
nutrient supply of the arable soil while
undersowing) between two main crops on
Greening of arable land renouncing nitrogen fertilizers, because
at least 10 % of the area, renouncement of
– intermediate crops the intermediate crops reduce the amount
mineral nitrogen fertilizers and chemical-
of nutrients leached to groundwater and
synthetic pesticides, as well as of tillage,
surface water.
during the greening period
Compensation for added costs resulting
from the active development of area-wide
Year-round, area-wide soil cover on ara-
greening on at least 85 % of the arable land
ble land protects against soil erosion and
Greening of arable land the whole year round (by growing main
additionally helps significantly to reduce
– "Evergreen" system and intermediate crops), renouncement of
leaching of material discharges, particular-
nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides, as well
ly of nutrients from agricultural sources.
as of tillage operations, throughout the
greening period
Compensation for added costs and/or re- The renouncement of high-impact tillage
Direct seeding and seed-
duced yields due to cultivation methods methods helps to minimise soil erosion
ing on mulch (incl. strip
such as direct seeding and seeding on and, consequently, nutrient input in water
till)
mulch or strip till bodies.
Compensation for added costs resulting Area-wide greening helps substantially in
Erosion protection for from the active area-wide development or reducing soil erosion and reducing the
fruit, vineyards and hops maintenance of greened machine tracks in associated leaching of nutrients into sur-
vineyards and orchards face waters.
Compensation for the additional work and The renouncement of pesticides (among
Pesticide renouncement expenses and/or reduced yields due to the other things) helps to avoid or reduce
in vineyards and hops renouncement of insecticides and/or herbi- potential material input into groundwater
cides and surface water.
Arable land: compensation for yield loss The renouncement of certain pesticides
caused by the reduced use of fertilizers, and the reduced use of fertilizers in arable
renouncement of selected pesticides; doc- land threatened or polluted by nitrates
Preventative ground- umentation on the use of nitrogen fertilizer, reduce material input into water bodies.
water protection specific consultation and training Grassland preservation also helps to re-
Grassland: compensation for plot-related duce material pollution in water bodies in
ban on the ploughing up or renewal of production facilities with exceptionally
grassland high soil rating and risk of ploughing.
Compensation for land set aside by estab-
Permanent, hardy buffer strips mainly
Preventative surface lishing a minimum 12-metre buffer strip
along arable land at risk of leaching re-
water protection on adjacent to rivers or streams or by preserv-
duce nutrient input (such as phosphor)
arable land ing existing, greened buffer strips along
into surface waters.
rivers or streams
Compensation for the added costs/reduced
The renouncement of chemical-synthetic
yields due to organic farming of arable
pesticides and mineral fertilizers, diversi-
land, grassland, permanent/special crops
Organic farming fied crop rotation and grassland preserva-
pursuant to Regulation (EC) No. 834/2007
tion reduce material input into water bod-
(Eco-Regulation) and for the maintenance
ies.
of grassland and landscape features
-- 22 --ÖPUL CONTRIBUTION TO WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
CONTRIBUTION TO WATER POLLUTION
CONTROL
THE AUSTRIAN GROUNDWATER Key ÖPUL approaches contributing to water
AND SURFACE WATER BODIES generally pollution control:
have a very high water quality with low levels of
material pollution. There are, however, regional
– Preventative and site-specific management
differences and various challenges. Essentially,
practices on arable land contribute towards im-
nitrogen pollution is lowered by reduced fertiliza-
proving the water quality and reduce or prevent
tion and/or the permanent greening of arable land.
material pollution.
The reduction of phosphor input is mainly
achieved by reducing soil erosion. To lower other
types of material pollution, it is particularly essen- – Erosion protection measures such as greening
tial to do without substances at risk of leaching. or using permanent greening mixtures – particu-
larly on arable land at high risk of leaching –
Combined with the reduced use of agricultural reduce soil erosion and the associated nutrient
inputs, ÖPUL 2015 promotes sustainable, low- runoff into surface waters.
impact management practices, contributing essen-
tially towards the reduction of material input into – Buffer zones in the form of wooded banks
groundwater and surface waters. This way, the along water courses contribute to water pollu-
goals of the EU Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC) tion control.
as well as the objectives of the EU Water Frame-
work Directive (2000/60/EC) and the EU Di- – Grassland preservation provides for slow water
rective 2009/128/EC on the sustainable use of infiltration and a lower risk of nitrate leaching.
pesticides are supported, going beyond the legal
requirements. – A large number of consultation and training
opportunities to convey the relationship be-
With broad, area-wide measures, ÖPUL 2015 tween fertilizing and nutrient pollution in water
seeks to protect water bodies with low levels of bodies seek to raise the awareness and promote
pollution or none at all. In areas with raised con- the efficient use of nutrients and plant protec-
centrations of nutrients and pollutants, i.e. a tion products.
heightened risk of material pollution, targeted
management practices for arable land and perma-
nent grassland with low impact on the ground-
water are supported.
-- 23 --ÖPUL CONTRIBUTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AND CLIMATE PROTECTION
Measure Contribution Effect
The renouncement of the use of mineral
Compensation for reduced yields due to the
Limitation of yield- fertilizers results in significantly reduced
renouncement of chemical-synthetic nitro-
increasing inputs greenhouse gas emissions (nitrous oxide)
gen fertilizers
from agricultural sources.
Because of their potential adaptability to
Compensation for reduced yield due to the
changing climatic conditions, the cultiva-
Cultivation of rare cultivation and use of rare and regionally
tion and reproduction of rare agricultural
agricultural crops valuable agricultural varieties and species
crops is part of the agricultural activities
of plants
seeking to handle climate change.
Compensation for reduced performance Because of their possible adaptability to
due to the breeding and rearing of endan- changing climatic conditions, the mainte-
Maintenance of endan-
gered and highly endangered livestock nance of endangered livestock breeds also
gered livestock breeds
breeds, promotion of knowledge about contributes to adaptation to climate
conservation breeding change.
Compensation for added costs resulting
from the active greening of land between Due to prolonged elevations of organic
Greening of arable land two main crops, renouncement of the use substances in the soil, humus is built up,
– intermediate crops of nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides and which achieves higher carbon levels in the
tillage operations throughout the greening soil.
period
Compensation for added costs resulting
from the active development of area-wide
Sustaining a green cover on arable land (if
greening on at least 85 % of the arable land
possible, the whole year round) increases
Greening of arable land the whole year round (by growing main
the organic substance in the soils, which
– "Evergreen" system and intermediate crops), renouncement of
promotes humus, thereby contributing to
nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides and till-
climate protection.
age operations throughout the greening
period
Compensation for the added costs and/or
Direct seeding and seed- Applying low-impact tillage methods
reduced yields resulting from to cultivation
ing on mulch (incl. strip helps to build up humus in the topmost
practices like direct seeding and seeding on
till) soil layer.
mulch or strip till
Compensation for added costs due to the Surface-near application of farm manure
surface-near spreading of at least 50 % of leads to less nutrient loss and increases
Surface-near spreading the liquid farm manure on arable land and nitrogen efficiency. As a result, the
of liquid farm manure grassland, e.g. by using trailing hose amount of greenhouse gases, e.g. nitrous
spreaders or liquid manure injection oxide, emitted to the atmosphere is re-
systems duced.
Compensation for added costs due to active Area-wide greening in the machine tracks
Erosion protection for
area-wide greening of all machine tracks in helps to build up humus, thereby improv-
fruit, vineyards and hops
vineyards, fruit and hops ing carbon conservation in the soil.
Compensation for additional work and
costs and/or reduced yields due to project The careful utilisation of e.g. wetland
obligations for the extensive, near-to- habitats on farmland counteracts the loss
Nature conservation nature management of agriculturally used of carbon supplies in the soils, which
areas which are of ecological value, in prevents the gases from being emitted into
terms of cross-regional and operational, the atmosphere.
result-oriented nature conservation plans
Compensation for the added costs/reduced
Humus-promoting crop rotations lead to
yields due to organic farming of arable
higher carbon concentrations in the soil,
Organic farming land, grassland, permanent/special crops
because they bind carbon from the atmos-
pursuant to Regulation (EC) No. 834/2007
phere.
(Eco-Regulation)
-- 24 --You can also read
