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Commission feedback to EURAF, Jan-Feb 2013

In October 2012, EURAF organised in Brussels the First European Agroforestry Conference. The seven points included in the final statement from this Conference were disseminated in a press release, which was sent to the European Commission and to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).

Nuno Melo (Portuguese MEP) introduced the topics suggested by EURAF under the "Parliamentary Questions System" and here is the feedback:

 1. Traditional agroforestry systems should be recognized and renewed, and innovative agroforestry systems should be promoted for adoption.

Question sent by MEP to the commission (see original in multilanguage):

What is the Commission's position on the EURAF statement that traditional agroforestry systems should be recognised and renewed, and the implementation of innovative agroforestry systems should be promoted?

Answer (see original in multilanguage):

 Joint answer given by Mr Cioloş on behalf of the Commission, 22 Feb 2013

 The Commission is aware of the multiple benefits of agroforestry systems. In its proposal for a Rural Development Regulation(1) post 2013, the Commission includes the eligibility of maintenance costs for agroforestry systems up to 3 years, allowing the establishment of agroforestry systems on agricultural land and non-agricultural land and extension of the list of potential beneficiaries from farmers to private landowners, including forest owners in the case of silvo-pastoral systems, tenants, municipalities and their associations.

 According to the draft Decision on accounting rules and action plans on greenhouse gas emissions and removals resulting from activities related to land use, land use change and forestry(2), the greenhouse gas balance of agroforestry systems would be accounted under forest management, provided that agroforestry systems meet the definition for forest (according to three criteria: minimal size of the area, minimal tree crown cover or equivalent stocking level, minimal tree height at maturity).

 (1) http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap-post-2013/legal-proposals/com627/627...

 (2) COM(2012) 93 final.

 2. Agroforestry systems should be fully eligible for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) first pillar payments and the 50 trees per hectare limit should be removed.

Question sent by MEP to the commission (see original in multilanguage):

What is the Commission's view on the EURAF statement that agroforestry systems should be made fully eligible under the first pillar of the common agricultural policy?

Answer (see original in multilanguage):

 Answer given by Mr Cioloş on behalf of the Commission, 21 Feb 2013

 The detailed rules on the eligibility of land to direct payments, including rules on how to deal with certain cases where agricultural areas contain trees, will be established in delegated acts based on Article 77(2)(b) of the Commission proposal for a Horizontal Regulation(1). The future rules will need to ensure that direct aids are granted to agricultural land used for an agricultural activity. When drafting the rules, full consideration will be given to the issue of agroforestry systems.

 However, in its ‘Concept Paper on greening’ the Commission has already indicated that it could consider recognising as eligible, areas with extensive traditional pastoral/agricultural systems, even if grasses and other herbaceous species are not predominant, and which play a key role for biodiversity and prevent soil erosion and carbon release.

 (1) COM(2011) 628 final/2.

 3. A broad agroforestry measure should be maintained in CAP Pillar 2 to help farmers establish agroforestry systems (including hedges) adapted to their environment.

 Question sent by MEP to the commission (see original in multilanguage):

What is the Commission's position on the EURAF statement that a broad agroforestry measure for the establishment of agroforestry systems (including hedges) should be included in the second pillar of the CAP, to help farmers implement such systems geared to their environment?

Answer (see original in multilanguage):

 Answer given by Mr Cioloş on behalf of the Commission, 21 Feb 2013

 The Commission agrees with the importance of agro-forestry measure, and has proposed to continue and widen the scope of this particular measure during the next Programming period of Rural Development. However, the Member States decide whether they include the agro-forestry measure in their Rural Development Programme. The share of funds in relation to the available budget dedicated to this particular measure also depends on each Member State.

 In its proposal for a new Rural Development Regulation (2011/0282 (COD)) the Commission proposes to grant support for the costs of establishment of agro-forestry systems and an annual premium per hectare to cover the costs of maintenance for a given number of years. Therefore, the establishment of agro-forestry systems is covered by the Commission proposal.

 However, the establishment of hedges is not covered by the proposed Article 24 for support for establishment of agro-forestry systems. In the current Programming period the establishment of hedges is eligible under the measure ‘Non-productive investments’ of the article 41 of the current Council Regulation 1698/2005(1). In the Commission proposal for the next Programming period the establishment of hedges could be eligible under the measure ‘Investments in physical assets’ (Article 18 of 2011/0282 (COD)). Consequently, the agro-forestry systems could be supported in a broad and feasible way during the next Programming period.

 (1) OJ L 277, 21.10.2005.

 4. An agroforestry measure should be incorporated in Pillar 2 to help farmers to manage and renew endangered traditional agroforestry systems.

 Question sent by MEP to the commission (see original in multilanguage):

What is the Commission's position on the EURAF statement attaching importance to a measure to help farmers manage and renew endangered traditional agroforestry systems, to be included in the second pillar of the CAP?

Answer (see original in multilanguage):

Answer given by Mr Cioloş on behalf of the Commission (25.2.2013)

The Commission agrees with the importance of agro-forestry measure, and has proposed to continue and widen the scope of this particular measure during the next Programming period of Rural Development. However, the Member States decide whether they include the agro-forestry measure in their Rural Development Programme. The share of funds in relation to the available budget dedicated to this particular measure also depends on each Member State.

According to the Commission proposal, the support would cover the costs of establishment and an annual premium per hectare to cover the costs of maintenance for a limited period.  The Member States, taking account of local pedo-climatic conditions, forestry species and the need to ensure agricultural use of the land, shall determine the maximum number of trees that are grown in combination with agriculture on the same land. The Member States would be in position of targeting measures to endangered agroforestry systems.

Moreover, the management of the traditional agroforestry ecosystems such as "montado" in Portugal or "dehesas" in Spain can be supported under agri-environment measure. The support under this measure is conditional to the respect of the reference level made of mandatory requirements. All the supported actions and commitments must be voluntary and be set beyond such reference level.

The Commission proposal for the Rural Development Regulation for the next Programming[1] period is based on an impact assessment[2] and has been in the negotiation phase with the Member States since 2011.

[1]

    Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of  the Council on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) (COM(2011) 627 final/2): http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap-post-2013/legal-proposals/com627/627...

[2]

    Commission Staff Working Paper – Executive Summary of the Impact Assessment: Common Agricultural Policy towards 2020: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/analysis/perspec/cap-2020/impact-assessm...

 5. As agroforestry can be implemented throughout Europe, pillar 2 agroforestry measures could be compulsory for all state members in the next Rural Development Regulation.

Question sent by MEP to the commission (see original in multilanguage):

What is the Commission's position on the EURAF statement highlighting the possibility of agroforestry systems being implemented throughout Europe, and taking the view that the adoption of measures included in the second pillar of the CAP should be compulsory for all Member States in the next rural development regulation?

Answer (see original in multilanguage):

 Answer given by Mr Cioloş on behalf of the Commission, 22 Feb 2013

 The Commission agrees with the importance of agro-forestry measure, and has proposed to continue and widen the scope of this particular measure during the next Programming period of Rural Development. However, the Member States decide whether they include the agro-forestry measure in their Rural Development Programme. The share of funds in relation to the available budget dedicated to this particular measure also depends on each Member State.

 In its proposal for a new Rural Development Regulation (2011/0282 (COD)) the Commission proposes to grant support for the costs of establishment of agro-forestry systems and an annual premium per hectare to cover the costs of maintenance for a given number of years. Therefore, the establishment of agro-forestry systems is covered by the Commission proposal.

 However, the establishment of hedges is not covered by the proposed Article 24 for support for establishment of agro-forestry systems. In the current Programming period the establishment of hedges is eligible under the measure ‘Non-productive investments’ of the article 41 of the current Council Regulation 1698/2005(1). In the Commission proposal for the next Programming period the establishment of hedges could be eligible under the measure ‘Investments in physical assets’ (Article 18 of 2011/0282 (COD)). Consequently, the agro-forestry systems could be supported in a broad and feasible way during the next Programming period.

 (1) OJ L 277, 21.10.2005. 

 6. Agroforestry systems should be eligible for inclusion in the ecological focus area of farms.

 Question sent by MEP to the commission (see original in multilanguage):

How does the Commission view EURAF’s advocacy of agroforestry systems and its call for them to be eligible for inclusion in the ecological focus areas of farms?

Answer (see original in multilanguage):

 Answer given by Mr Cioloş on behalf of the Commission (20.2.2013)

One of the goals of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy is to better recognize and to further encourage sustainable agriculture. It is in this spirit that the Commission proposed in Article 32 of the direct payments[1] Regulation to establish an obligation for farmers to set up Ecological Focus Areas (EFA). Paragraph 2 of this Article empowers the Commission to " adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 55 to further define the types of ecological focus areas referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article and to add and define other types of ecological focus areas".

The Commission has, during the discussions on the reform indicated its intentions with regard to the content of these future delegated acts and made it clear that many elements typical of agro-forestry could be recognized as EFAs, such as, up to a limit, trees in line or trees in group. However, please keep in mind that the Commission will need to ensure that direct aids are granted to agricultural land and not to forests, therefore limitations are proposed as regards the proportion of such features on agricultural land.

[1]

    COM 625 final/2

  7. The benefits of agroforestry systems for climate change adaptation and mitigation should be recognized and accounted for in the European Union Climate policy.

 Question sent by MEP to the commission (see original in multilanguage):

What does the Commission think about the EURAF statement that the benefits of agroforestry systems for climate change adaptation and mitigation should be recognised and turned to account in EU climate action policy?

Answer (see original in multilanguage):

 Joint answer given by Mr Cioloş on behalf of the Commission, 22 Feb 2013

The Commission is aware of the multiple benefits of agroforestry systems. In its proposal for a Rural Development Regulation(1) post 2013, the Commission includes the eligibility of maintenance costs for agroforestry systems up to 3 years, allowing the establishment of agroforestry systems on agricultural land and non-agricultural land and extension of the list of potential beneficiaries from farmers to private landowners, including forest owners in the case of silvo-pastoral systems, tenants, municipalities and their associations.

According to the draft Decision on accounting rules and action plans on greenhouse gas emissions and removals resulting from activities related to land use, land use change and forestry(2), the greenhouse gas balance of agroforestry systems would be accounted under forest management, provided that agroforestry systems meet the definition for forest (according to three criteria: minimal size of the area, minimal tree crown cover or equivalent stocking level, minimal tree height at maturity).

(1) http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap-post-2013/legal-proposals/com627/627...

(2) COM(2012) 93 final.