Description

The state can safeguard biodiversity in a country by operating targeted support programmes for the agricultural and forestry sectors. These programmes provide financial support for those farmers who plant flower strips, game grazing fields, species-rich grassland, bird-friendly hedges, etc. on their farms. In doing so they help boost the role played by protected areas and reserves in securing biodiversity in the cultural landscape. Farmers whose land is in protected areas can receive compensation payments.

Requirements

• Binding market system (commercial category regulations) that makes compliance compulsory for all agri-food businesses in the supply chain
• A properly functioning country-wide administration and monitoring system with access to the relevant information and sufficient technical and human capacities for its design, implementation and monitoring
• Clear and coherent political strategy and targets for policy-makers and public authorities
• Clear responsibilities in public authorities
• Country-wide monitoring of natural resources and their quality (e. g. water, soil, forests, air, grassland)
• Good knowledge of good agricultural practices
• Regulated and legally protected payment structures
• Monitoring and control system for the agricultural production processes supported
• Regular neutral inspections on farms and in agri-food enterprises
• Regulatory framework
• Sanction mechanisms

Possible Negative Effects

• Corruption and personal gain
• Country-wide implementation and monitoring of biodiversity protection measures could overstretch public authorities