Slovenia

Country Infos

Overview

Scheme

The purpose of the intervention is to encourage agricultural enterprises to implement nature-friendly farming practices. The intervention supports the maintenance and transition to organic farming. Participation in the intervention is voluntary. The operation represents a novelty in the strategic plan for 2023-2027. It aims to maintain the favorable condition of dry grasslands and the associated wild fauna and flora. Implementation solutions will be developed as part of the three-year EIP project "Farming for the Conservation of Species-Rich Grasslands with Knowledge Transfer to Farmers." The operation will commence in 2024 using a results-oriented scheme, allowing farmers and land managers to choose the most suitable management method to achieve the set outcome. Financial compensation for achieving good results will be based on the level of habitat preservation of the dry grasslands. Interested farmers who wish to actively participate can voluntarily join the scheme.

Location of the scheme

several regions

The operation "Conservation of Dry Grasslands" cannot be implemented just anywhere, but only on areas with the qualifying habitat type EU_6210(*) Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco Brometalia) (*important orchid sites) in the Natura 2000 areas of Boč – Haloze – Donačka gora, Haloze – wine-growing, Kum, and Gorjanci – Radoha.

Duration of the scheme

Since: 2024
Until: 2027

Objective(s) of the scheme / project

• Biodiversity

The objective of the scheme/project is to preserve Slovenia's endangered species-rich dry grasslands. This involves promoting participation in the "Conservation of Dry Grasslands" operation, which requires mandatory pre-intervention training, submission of operational plans, and annual monitoring of grassland preservation. Participants will manage their lands through late mowing and extensive grazing, abstain from using mineral fertilizers, and ensure the removal of mown grass to prevent overgrowth and excessive use. The scheme encompasses not only habitat conservation but also sustainable land management practices.

Which habitats or species are in the focus of the scheme / project?

• Only habitats of FFH-D.

The focus of the scheme/project is on the habitat type EU_6210*, which includes Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco Brometalia), particularly important for orchid sites.

Which indicators are used?

• Only FFH Habitats
• Only FFH Species

Indicator plant species specific for each area in combination with physical structures  (bare soil, structure of grasslands, invasive species)

Design of scheme / project

• Pure Result Based Payments

By which fund(s) is the scheme / project implemented?

• Agri Environmental Measures of CAP

The intervention forms a part of the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy for the period 2023-2027. Specifically, it falls under the category of Agri-Environmental-Climate Payment

How are the incentives (payment levels) calculated?

• Based on the costs of management actions

Financial compensation for maintaining the favourable condition of dry grasslands and their associated wild fauna and flora represents the highest amount of interventions in the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy for the period 2023-2027.

Compensation for the highest achieved result in the implementation of the "Conservation of Dry Grasslands" operation. Payments are expected to be made in three stages, evaluating the level of preservation of the target habitat type. Farmers will monitor their results annually through the "Moj travnik" application.

How are participating farmers supervised/advised?

• Advisors visits (obligatory)
• Advice by telephone
• Information documents (pamphlets, reports, etc.)
• Website
• Information meetings/workshops (obligatory)

Are there any evaluation results?

• No

Contact person

dr. Nika Debeljak, Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation

Tobačna ulica 5, 1000 Ljubljana

e-mail: nika.debeljak@zrsvn.si

and

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food

Dunajska c. 22, 1000 Ljubljana

e-mail: gp.mkgp@gov.si

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Showroom

Evaluation