Case study: engaging local farmers in agro-environmental schemes

At Haute Vezere, since 2001, CREN Limousin has set-up agro-environmental aids with agricultural organizations, which were co-financed until 2006 by FEOGA and French funds. Measures consist of the extensive use of heathlands and peat bogs with no fertilizers and low stock pressure during summer season. They are five year contracts. Aids varied from €111 ha/year and €350 ha/year.

From 2007, they are cofinanced by FEADER and French funds. They are all approximately €261 ha/year. CREN Limousin and a farming organization built local agro-environmental "schedules of conditions" to maintain and enhance open habitats management. Successful communication was developed with a farming organization at the local and national level.

Restoration of many sites has taken place with local farming partnerships: CREN Limousin now manages approximately 2000 ha of Natura 2000 sites, of which 400 ha are open habitats. This represents 14 different small sites, managed with the help of 15 different farmers.