Slovenia

Country Infos

Overview

Scheme

The scheme is included in the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy. The purpose of the operation is the protection of birds nesting in humid extensive meadows. Implementing adapted agricultural practices that consider their ecological requirements enables the long-term conservation of these species. The operation primarily protects the corncrake (Crex crex). However, implementing adapted agricultural practices also has a positive impact on other species, such as the whinchat (Saxicola rubetra), the Eurasian curlew (Numenius arquata), the common quail (Coturnix coturnix), the lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni), the little crake (Porzana parva), the spotted crake (Porzana porzana) and the northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus). The operation "BK.14" is management-result based. It has a management component, where payment depends on the implementation of certain requirements. The management part is enhanced with a results-based component, where payment depends on the outcome.

Location of the scheme

several regions

The scheme is open for voluntary enrollment in the Natura 2000 areas, specifically in eleven potential enrollment zones for the KOPOP scheme, namely: Planinsko polje (SI5000016), Snežnik – Pivka (SI5000002); Breginjski Stol (SI5000020); Julijci (SI5000019); Dobrava – Jovsi (SI5000032); Dolina Reke (SI5000003); Nanoščica (SI5000017); Cerkniško jezero (SI5000017); Ljubljansko barje (SI5000014); Dolenja vas pri Ribnici (SI3000199).

Duration of the scheme

Since: 2023
Until: 2027

Objective(s) of the scheme / project

• Biodiversity

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

• Only birds of BD

The target species is the corncrake (Crex crex), which is regulated by the Birds Directive (BD).

Which indicators are used?

• Only BD Birds

A positive result (indicator) is the presence of a corncrake singing male on farmers' surfaces. The singing male attracts the female that will make a nest in his proximity - the presence of the male therefore represents the area of the nesting habitat. An area close to the nesting habitat is also an important feeding habitat, as males, females, and later young corncrakes feed in a wider area from the singing male’s location.

Design of scheme / project

• Hybrid result based payment with complementary management based payments

Semi-RPBS for presence of a corncrake singing male (Crex crex).

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

• Agri Environmental Measures of CAP

The intervention is included in the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027 and is part of the climate and environmental scheme 'KOPOP'.

How are the incentives (payment levels) calculated?

• Based on the costs of management actions

The management part of the VTR operation is implemented in two stages of complexity. The first stage consists of restrictions and adapted mowing methods for surfaces enrolled in the measure or scheme. The annual payment amount of the first stage has one level.

The second stage includes, in addition to the requirements of the first stage, a result-based part. A positive result represents the presence of feeding and nesting habitats of the corncrake, determined based on the location of singing males. To achieve the result - the nesting or feeding habitat of the corncrake - the beneficiary receives a payment, which is awarded at three levels:

1^st Level - feeding habitat: payment is awarded for achieving the result - the presence of the corncrake's feeding habitat. This is the area within a 150 m radius around the singing male corncrake, representing his living space and the area where he feeds.

2^nd Level - nesting habitat: payment is awarded for achieving the result - the presence of the corncrake's nesting habitat. This is the area within a 50 m radius around the singing male. It's a narrow area where the male attracts the female and where she will make her nest.

3^rd Level - population density: payment is awarded for achieving the result - the presence of feeding and nesting habitats of several corncrakes in the same area. Areas with favourable conditions and enough natural resources to support the survival of multiple individual corncrakes are the best parts of the meadows for the birds. In these areas, there is what is known as a densification of the population.

How many hectares are in the scheme?

• More than 5.000

How are participating farmers supervised/advised?

• Advisors visits (obligatory)
• Advice by telephone
• Website
• Information meetings/workshops (voluntary)

Are there any evaluation results?

• No

Contact person

Nastja Kosor

Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation

e-mail: nastja.kosor@zrsvn.si

and

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food

Dunajska c. 22, 1000 Ljubljana

e-mail: gp.mkgp@gov.si

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