Agricultural wood as an ecological focus area in the framework of the common agricultural policy

作者：Drittler Lara^*; Theuvsen Ludwig

来源：Berichte uber Landwirtschaft, 2017, 95(2).

One of the most important CAP novelties after the 2013 reform is greening. Since then, the receiving of direct payments has been subject to three specific environmental measures (crop diversification, cultivation of permanent grassland, provision of ecological focus areas). At least 5 % of the arable land of agricultural holdings with more than 15 ha of arable land must be made available as ecological focus area. One way to meet the greening requirements is planting or designating agricultural wood as an ecological focus area. Agricultural wood means fast-growing trees such as willows or poplars on agricultural land. So far, no studies have been conducted to analyse the significance of strip-shaped integrated agricultural wood as ecological focus area in the greening framework. This article contributes to closing this research gap. based on a literature review, the advantages and opportunities of agricultural wood for farmers, consumers as well as environmental and nature protection are revealed along with possible risks and obstacles. In addition, preliminary figures regarding the scope of cultivation of various ecological focus area measures from the claim years of 2015 and 2016 are analysed. As regards the choice of ecological focus area measures in Germany, considerable regional differences become apparent. Overall, the literature review that despite having been neglected by farmers so far, strip-shaped agricultural wood as area has considerable potential to meet to greening requirements, Finally, the article makes policy recommendations the implementation of which would increase the attractiveness of agricultural wood as an ecological focus area.

• 出版日期2017-8