Farmland supports many habitats and species of European conservation concern. In 2003, Europe's environment ministers agreed to identify all farmland areas with high nature value and take conservation measures. This report shows that these areas cover roughly 15-25 % of the European countryside...

Agriculture is a key influence on the environment in the acceding countries. This report reviews the pressures from agriculture on water, soil and air. It also shows the importance of agricultural management for biodiversity and landscapes. Introduction of the CAP will bring positive and...

EU policy provides an important opportunity to improve environmental management in the farming sector and the European Commission’s LIFE (Financial Instrument for the Environment) programme supports these efforts by co-funding demonstration projects that deliver real benefits for European...

The EU has highlighted the importance of using the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) to prevent the abandonment of high nature value farmland and its intensification as a key action to halt biodiversity decline. The present report sets out to assess whether the current distribution of CAP funds is...