Experiences with ecosystem services on farms: a pilot study towards CAP reform

A reward system for ecosystem services was developed for a group of farmers in Winterswijk (NL). Most of these services are connected to multifunctional land-use activities. A farmer earns points for a range of activities, which are valued with more or fewer points depending on their importance for landscape and/or community activities. Total payment is based on sum of all points multiplied by a payment per point. The local community has adopted this payment system, and in December 2008 launched a countryside fund to reward farmers for offering green-blue services. Since spring 2011 the region is also a pilot area to study options for the reform of the European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and 97 farmers participate in this pilot study. From 2013 onwards the CAP will focus on offering more services to the public, rather than just food production. Maintaining landscapes, employment, environment, climate change and biodiversity is a great and new challenge for farmers, and a necessary step to apply for some of the future EU payments. In the pilot study the farmers of Winterswijk will build up experience with the provision of these services. The Dutch Government will use the results of the pilot in the negotiations with the European Commission.