Summary
The initiative called “Farming for species diversity (Landwirtschaft für Artenvielfalt)” aims to increase the diversity of wild flora and fauna on organic farms. A result-oriented approach with participation of the value chain is pursued. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania the WWF Germany and the federation of organic farming named Biopark have started the initiative together with the retailer EDEKA. A new standard going beyond the requirements for the organic certification has been developed with scientific support.
The nature protection certification is based on a credit point system with a broad range of over 100 measures. Its central element is a catalogue of measures with credits allocated to each of them. Together with a specialised nature protection advisor, the participating farmers choose the measures that are the most suitable and can be best integrated into their agricultural production. Factsheets provide detailed information on the implementation of the measures, suitable locations and potential indicator species.
The whole farm with all its land and the surrounding landscape elements is eligible. If the farmer reaches a minimum of credit points, he gets a supplement for selected products (pork, beef, lamb, and potatoes). The farmer is compensated for his nature protection efforts through the higher priced premium organic product sold with a particular label. The consumers actively support species diversity by purchasing these products.
Objectives
- Increase of the diversity of wild flora and fauna in agricultural landscapes;
- Establish a nature protection certificate for organic farms;
- Improve the market opportunities for selected organic products.
Public Goods
and vitality
Problem description
The starting point for this project was the observed decrease of the biological diversity on farmland and in agriculture landscapes. In principle organic farming provides an excellent basis for a high species diversity of wild animals and plants. But also in organic farming the increasing economic pressure leads to intensification and this goes along with negative effects on species diversity.
