According to the EU Rural Development Regulation (1257/1999) all Member States are obliged to develop and implement agri-environment schemes and programmes that offer payments to farmers who voluntarily adopt more environmentally-friendly farming practices. This is the only obligatory measure under the Rural Development Regulation and also extends to the accession countries preparing to join the EU.

The purpose of the project is to support the development of the institutional capacity (at national and local level) that is necessary for the full and effective implementation of EU-funded agri-environment measures in Lithuania. This will be achieved through:

1. improved integration of agri-environment policy development and implementation in the MoA with the environmental protection strategies of the MoE

2. increased capacity at national and local level for implementation of the pilot agri-environment measure under SAPARD Measure 6: “Environmentally-friendly Agricultural Methods”

3. development of appropriate tools for supporting the development and future implementation of a national agri-environment programme as required by the EU Rural Development Regulation

The work on the project will be undertaken by experts from the consortium of 2 organisations – DLV Agriconsult (in association with DLV) and Avalon – combined with the technical expertise of the 2 nominated partners on the project – the Lithuanian Fund for Nature (LGF) and DLG. The project is funded by Senter Internationaal (The Netherlands).

The project will be implemented in the 18 month period from April 2003 until September 2004 – followed by a final 3 month period until the end of December 2004 for project completion and ‘wrap-up’. The project activities will include:

· the organisation of general training courses for staff of the MoA and MoE on the principles and practice of agri-environmental policy-making and programming

· the preparation of the necessary steps for practical implementation of the SAPARD pilot agri-environment measure, including the finalisation of administrative procedures for the selection, payment and control of applicants

· the preparation of appropriate training programmes for the advisers, administrators and control staff who will be working at national, regional and local level to implement the SAPARD pilot measure

· the development of appropriate information materials and strategies for promoting the SAPARD pilot agri-environment measure to local farmers

· support for the development of management agreements with farmers

· assistance in the development of instruction guidelines and manuals for staff at central and regional level

· training of Paying Agency staff at central and regional level in order to build the necessary know-how and skills to successfully implement the pilot agri-environment measure

· building the relationship between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Environment by creating better understanding about the potential of agri-environmental policy for both rural development and environmental protection

· clarifying the division of responsibilities and tasks between the two Ministries for implementation of agri-environmental policy

· raising awareness at regional level about the potential application of agri-environment measures to the management of protected areas and other vulnerable habitats and landscapes

· clarifying the potential role of the Ministry of Environment and its Regional Departments in the future monitoring of agri-environment measures

· support for an information campaign to promote the agri-environment measure as a management option for farmers in those Natura 2000 sites where agriculture is an important land use

In the longer-term it is hoped that the completion of project activities will also help build the necessary capacity amongst the beneficiaries that is required to:

· evaluate and learn from the SAPARD pilot actions

· establish a national agri-environment programme according to the requirements of the EU Rural Development Regulation

· continue developing and delivering appropriate training courses

Other Partners and Supporters:

Senter Internationaal (The Netherlands)

DLV Agriconsult (in association with DLV),

Avalon

DLG