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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
In Germany, the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Forestry is responsible for sustainable agriculture and is a member of the National Coordination Mechanism for Sustainable Development. The implementation of coherent measures is primarily in the responsibility of the Laender (federal states).
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
Rules and principles of "good agricultural practice" have been incorporated into agricultural law, such as the Federal Fertilizer Act and the Federal Plant Protection Act and environmental Law as the Soil Protection Act. They follow the line of using habitat-appropriate measures by making use of integrated methods for controlling harmful organisms or minimising human impact on soil cultivation. The basis for maximum uniformity in the approaches taken is provided by the 1987 Principles of Good Agricultural Practice, which were supplemented in 1993. Legislation related to agriculture is comprehensive and most acts have been amended in recent years, inter alia, to implement provisions of Good Agricultural Practice. Besides national legislation, there are also many European Union regulations and directives related to agriculture and environmental protection.
The Federal Soil Conservation Act, designed to sustainably ensure or restore soil functions, has been in force since 1 March 1999. Requirements for protection against adverse soil changes and prevention of hazards were laid down in this respect. In agriculture, the principles of good professional practice for agricultural soil use, described in some detail in the Act, fulfill the obligation for precautionary action. These relate essentially to precautionary aspects regarding the physical composition of soils. Because of these measures the German law on soil protection also promotes sequestration of CO2 into soils. The requirements for protection against adverse soil changes caused by substance inputs through fertilizers and plant protection products are laid down in the Fertilizer Act and Fertilizer Ordinance and in the Plant Protection Act.
There are different instruments for addressing sustainable agriculture concerns. One main instrument is public regulations like laws and ordinances. Since as far back as the early 1970s in Germany and in the other EU member states, many environmental aspects have been implemented through agricultural legislation, which has been harmonised at EU level on a large scale (for details see in particular No. 12 –18).
In addition, the German Laender in particular offer some economic incentives to agriculture to implement environmental protection and nature conservation measures, which go beyond common good agricultural practice.
In plant protection matters Germany pursues a policy of risk reduction. The elements of this strategy include the risk reduction through legal regulations governing plant protection products.
The Plant Protection Act provides the legal basis for the authorisation of plant protection products. The authorisation and marketing of plant protection products are subject to very strict regulations. They may only be marketed once they have been authorised by the Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry. The authorisation needs the agreement of the Federal Environment Agency and the Federal Institute for Health Protection of Consumers and Veterinary Medicine which are responsible for human health and the environment. Elements to be taken into account within the authorisation procedure include:
- efficacy and crop tolerance;
- effects on vertebrates (pain or suffering);
- effects on human and animal health and on groundwater; and
- effects on natural balance.
Integrated pest management has been an important part of the German Plant Protection Act since as far back as 1987.
German agricultural policy has introduced regulations which it is expected will result in a key reduction of inputs of nutrients and plant protection products from agricultural sources in the long run. This includes above all the Federal Fertilizer Act and Federal Fertilizer Ordinance as well as the Federal Plant Protection Act prescribing a site-appropriate fertilisation meeting plant requirements and an integrated application of plant protection products authorised according to strict criteria. These national regulations are to implement and supplement the EU Directives concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market (91/414/EEC) and concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources (91/676/EEC).
Legal and administrative measures e.g. Council Regulation (EEC) No 2078/92 of 30 June 1992 on Agricultural production methods compatible with the requirements of the protection of the environment and the maintenance of the countryside have been taken to improve framework conditions for site-appropriate, ecologically sound production including ecological farming. In 1997, a total of almost 3 million hectares were incorporated in this promotion scheme. This corresponds to 17% of the total farmland area in Germany. 2% of that area was being managed according to the rules for ecological farming. This also applies to the growing and using of renewable raw materials.
The high requirements for the authorization of plant protection products under the revised Plant Protection Act of 14 May 1999 restrict the availability of selective instruments in the small fields of use of fruit cultivation and horticulture, in particular, so that problems arise in the provision of plant protection products suitable for IPM.
The Closed Substance Cycle and Waste Management Act introduced the use of sewage sludge and biowaste as organic fertilizers. To secure the sustainability of land use and soil protection, special ordinances on sewage sludge, biowaste and soil protection impose restrictive regulations on the amount of sludge and biowaste used on agricultural land and their maximum content of certain pollutants such as heavy metals.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
Principles and objectives for sustainable agriculture were already been taken into account by German authorities and the European Community before the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). Existing legislation has been adjusted and new laws and legal regulations have been enacted to satisfy changed demands. The model of German agricultural policy is the farm enterprise managed in a sustainable way with respect to ecological, economic and social aspects.
Strategies are being implemented to reduce fertilizer application rates by extension programmes, and through the new Ordinance on Fertilisation in force since 6 February 1996. The Ordinance defines in concrete terms the principles of good agricultural practice with respect to fertilisation and, for the first time in Germany, provides for uniform fertilizer practices. The principles aim at an application of fertilizers according to site conditions and the nutrient demand of crops. The ordinance includes rules governing the incorporation of organic fertilizers, the prohibition of slurry spreading during winter- time, the limitations on the amount of nitrogen derived from manure, regular soil testing and the keeping of nutrient balances. They give legal stability to the farmers and are likewise aimed at improved environment and water protection.
The principles of good professional practice are laid down in detail in a publication of the Federal Republic of Germany in the Federal Gazette of 21 November 1998. As a result, the requirements of good professional practice in plant protection were formulated for the first time as a basic strategy in plant protection. Great stress was also laid on the fact that integrated pest management (IPM) sets higher requirements and serves as a model with which practical plant protection is to be gradually aligned.
The Institute for Integrated Plant Protection and the Institute for Impact Assessment in Plant Protection, founded at the Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry in 1992, both located in Kleinmachnow, address the conceptual and strategic questions of IPM, problems relating to its implementation and the ecological and economic assessment of IPM. To obtain a uniform standard of assessment for the IPM principles and to be able to measure the progress towards good professional practice, the principles of integrated plant protection are currently being formulated. These principles are to be published in the year 2000.
In Germany the use of water in agriculture is subject to the principles of water management based on the Federal Water Act. The principal aim is to manage German waters so as to preserve them as parts of the ecosystem and as habitats for fauna and flora. Forms of utilisation are only admissible if they meet this aim and if any avoidable impairment of the ecological function of waters is refrained from.
The establishment of a special plan geared exclusively to agriculture is not necessary. The precautionary principle, the polluter-pays principle and the co-operation principle form an integral part of German water policy. In the process, the protection of surface and ground waters from contaminants and the conservation of existing water resources through abstraction adapted to the natural regeneration rate fulfill key functions also pursued by German agricultural policy.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
German Farmers association (Deutscher Bauernverband, DBV) is the leading agricultural association within Germany serving as an umbrella organisation for 18 state farmers` unions and various ag-related interest groups on the national level. Although membership is strictly voluntary, more than 90 per cent of all 500.000 German farmers are members of DBV. DBV represents farmers and agriculture’s interests in all policy areas including economics, environment, taxes, education, and social affairs and co-ordinates the activities of its member organisations in all relevant fields.
The federal system in Germany stipulates that the implementation of plant protection, including inspection and extension. falls under the sovereignty of the Laender and that, therefore, the Integrated Pest Management implementation is mainly promoted by the political and technical framework conditions in the Laender. However, other national organizations also contribute decisively to implementing IPM in the Laender, e.g. the Association for the Promotion of Integrated Cropping which issued guidelines for integrated plant cultivation in 1993, for example. The Central Association of Horticulturists is particularly active in this field. Its sections for fruit and vegetable cultivation, forming part of the Federal Committee for Fruit and Vegetables, set national standards for IPM by issuing guidelines on integrated cultivation.
IPM has been successfully incorporated in schemes of controlled integrated production in the process. On the basis of the guidelines issued by the Central Association of Horticulturists, the local cultivation organizations elaborate, implement and inspect these schemes, involving the official plant protection service of the Laender.
The rural youth organisations are amongst the most important social groups in rural areas. The four rural youth organisations in Germany are working together on fundamental issues. Their activities have long been based on the principles of sustainable land use management in horticulture, agriculture and forestry. By choosing special topics, annual priorities are set by these organisations for their work. In 1999, the German Rural Youth Association (Bund der Deutschen Landjugend) is dealing with energy policy and renewable resources, the Catholic rural youth movement (Katholische Landjugendbewegung) with Agenda 21 and sustainable agriculture. Topics of sustainable production were also at the focus of meetings and educational seminars of the Working Party of Protestant Rural Youth (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Evangelischer Landjugend) and of the Working Party of German Young Horticulturists (Arbeitsgemeinschaft deutscher Jungg?tner).
The structural change in agriculture will have a lasting effect on the working and living situation of women in rural areas. In many holdings with insufficient development possibilities there are farmers' wives who develop new income sources with the help of manifold initiatives, contributing to the operational viability of the agricultural holdings. The Federal Government welcomes and supports these entrepreneurial initiatives. In addition to the agricultural promotion programme it also organizes model projects.
The associations of rural women aim at improving the situation of their members and their families in rural areas with the aid of a great number of activities, e.g. practical help on the spot or information events. In 1998 the Federal Government earmarked DM 260,000 for central information events organised by the organisations of rural women.
The German countrywomen's association (Deutscher Landfrauenverband, DLV), as a lobby for farmer's wives and women in rural areas, also feels responsible for the future of rural areas. Rapid economic and technical globalisation and its consequences for rural areas above all require critical attention and efficient action. DLV would like to find answers to following questions and encourage action to be taken on them: What working and living conditions are offered to the inhabitants of rural areas? Will we be successful in maintaining attractive infrastructures? How can we secure agriculture all over the country?
The German NGO Forum for Environment and Development founded a working group on sustainable agriculture with some 40 representatives from environment, development, and farmers' and rural population organisations. Several conferences have been held and a study carried out on the "Implications of Agenda 21 for Revision of the German Plant Protection Act". The working group also presented an action plan on Designing Agricultural Policy in Germany.
Programmes and Projects
Since October 1998 Germany has been developing and implementing a National Programme for Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The following measures are to be incorporated into the programme:
- crop plants, especially a study on in situ and on-farm preservation and simplification of the provisions for registering seeds of genetic resources (traditional seeds and farmers' varieties),
- farm animals,- forest genetic resources,
- fishes, and
- microorganisms (pathogens, biological pest agents, food processing and preservation).
The program which refers to the promotion of keeping endangered breeds of farm animals covers approx. 11,200 livestock units, essentially breeds of the species cattle, sheep, goats (which on account of low milk or carcass yields are economically unattractive to farmers), as well as horses. Without such promotion these breeds would become extinct. Many of them show genetic characteristics worth being preserved, such as endurance and vigor under certain extreme conditions, longevity, high fertility, special meat condition, and specific meat flavor or excellent suitability for certain uses or locations, for example, in mountain areas. These breeds also have genetic traits whose importance has not yet been fully recognised.
The federal government has launched a "concept for the promotion of research, development and demonstration projects 1996 - 2000 in the field of renewable resources", for which the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Forestry is responsible and which is administered by the Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe. Since 1993, the budget for this programme has been more than DM 50 million per year. The promotion of bioenergy purposes is one of the most important parts of this programme. From 1990 to 1997, around DM 70 million have been spent on bioenergy research, development and demonstration projects.
The Market Incentive Programme for Renewable Energy Sources of the Federal Ministry of Economics is designed to promote biomass combustion plants and biogas facilities both for heat and power supply. A total of 1341 projects with grants amounting to around DM 19 million and an investment volume of around DM 45 million in this area were sponsored from 1995 to 1997. This represents 19% of the total budget of the programme. This programme has been prolonged from 2000 to 2003 and the amount of financial funds is about DM 200 million per year. DM 70 million of this are earmarked for bioenergy projects.
The model project "Improving the income situation of women in agricultural holdings and in rural areas with the help of centralised marketing of regional products" which was concluded in April 1999 was to show how rural women could be supported in the marketing of their home-made products in conurbations.
The model project "Self-help for rural women by rural women - Women organize structural development of rural areas (SELF)" is to help women to take part in income-orientated job creation projects offered by the organisations of rural women in the new Laender and to show them ways of achieving economic independence. Going beyond that, the model project is to create new jobs for women in rural areas, too, making use of the existing potential and initiatives. Furthermore, it supports the setting up of new businesses by rural women is and initiating a supra-regional transfer of know-how.
The German section of WWF together with the "Green League" founded a project on "sustainable regional development in rural areas" to discuss questions of social sustainability.
Status
Agriculture is of great importance in Germany. Over 80% of the land surface is devoted to agriculture and forestry. 54% of Germany's total area is agricultural land; of this, 68% is arable land. Therefore, agriculture plays a crucial role for sustainable development. Around 12% of all jobs in Germany are to be found in agriculture and related economic areas. Thus agriculture contributes significantly to the economic viability of rural areas. About 1.26 million people were occupied full-time or part-time on-farm in approximately 544,000 farms in 1998.
Agriculture and fishery are regarded as producers of food in line with high quality standards. In densely populated Germany, the function of producing food and renewable raw materials cannot be separated from other functions. Agriculture is therefore expected not only to produce in a sustainable way but also to achieve additional ecological targets, e.g. protection of air, soil and water, preserving biodiversity and conserving the cultural landscape.
The further development and the widespread implementation of integrated plant protection are accorded high priority in the Federal Republic of Germany. A variety of programmes and activities by the Federal Government, the Laender and other organisations serves to promote and implement integrated plant protection. Moreover, there are initiatives by various cultivation organisations (e.g. fruit, vegetables, wine, hops) to have the application by their members of integrated plant protection procedures checked by the organisation.
In Germany, over 80% of the farmland is currently being cultivated in line with the guidelines of IPM or controlled integrated production. This share, mainly accounted for by apple cultivation, has remained constant since 1992. Such a representative statement can be made about horticulture, too. The share of enterprises meeting IPM minimum requirements in greenhouses is estimated at over 80% and at almost 60% in field vegetable cultivation. The shares are even higher in some Laender (Brandenburg, Thuringia).
Due to economic and other framework conditions, the regional organization of controlled integrated production has only prevailed to a limited degree in arable farming. The share of farmland, the cultivation of which meets minimum requirements of integrated plant protection, is less than 20%. Yet, status-quo analyses show that most of the enterprises have already implemented individual methods and processes of integrated plant protection.
The implementation of IPM turned out to be a long-term process requiring large technical and political support in arable farming especially. Over the past few years, great headway has been made in implementing IPM in fruit cultivation, greenhouse cropping, field vegetable farming, viticulture and hop growing. The experience of the past few years has shown that permanent crops not only ensure market benefits, but also provide particularly favorable conditions for the establishment and use of natural regulatory mechanisms, giving additional impetus to IPM. These conditions are clearly less advantageous in the case of annual arable crops, with only a few instruments of integrated plant protection being available. Therefore, the introduction of practical elements such as the cultivation of less susceptible varieties or the use of threshold levels plays a far greater role in arable farming currently than the implementation of the overall IPM concept.
Due to the fact that Germany has sufficient precipitation rates for climatic reasons, a sufficient supply of water is, as a rule, always available; thus water conservation focuses on improving the water quality. Agriculture and forestry actually exert a positive effect on securing groundwater levels, as land used by agriculture and forestry shows a far higher infiltration rate than sealed areas. The irrigation of utilised agricultural areas is, due to the favourable climatic conditions, only confined to specific regions in Germany as an additional water supply on cultivated areas for vegetable and special crops, which generally does not pose any problems for water resources. In spite of this, German agriculture also uses irrigation techniques conserving as much water as possible such as sprinkler irrigation systems and partly also drip irrigation.
According to the latest estimates of 1995, the irrigation area in Germany accounted for around 531,000 ha or 3.1% of utilised agricultural areas. From 1976 to 1987 the irrigation area in Germany steadily increased to over 800,000 ha to drop again to around 531, 000 ha by 1994, which is primarily due to the set-aside of many large irrigation areas in the new Laender.
The nutrient discharges from agriculture into waters are playing an increasingly important role as the major polluting sources from municipalities and industrial enterprises have now been eliminated. Around 50-55% of nitrogen inputs and 40-45% of phosporus inputs into waters come from utilised agricultural areas. But due to a better education and training of farmers and effective regulations, the total amount of nutrient effluents from agriculture is declining. Residues of plant protection products in groundwater also pose a problem. The threshold value for these chemicals, based on the precautionary principle, is very low. But the available results of groundwater control show that they do not affect groundwater in general and in some cases a decrease in inputs is being detected. A better training of farmers will help to prevent contamination.
Fig.1 Commercial fertilizer consumption in agriculture in 1000 t of nutrient substance
(The figures are based on reports by producer firms and importers on the sale of commercial fertilizer to trade and co-operatives for domestic consumption. In the absence of other indicators, these figures are equated with the quantities consumed by agriculture.)
| 1994/95 | 1995/96 | 1996/97 | 1997/98 | |
| N | 1786.1 | 1769.2 | 1758.0 | 1788.4 |
| P2 05 | 449.6 | 401.7 | 415.1 | 409.6 |
| K2 0 | 667.1 | 652.2 | 645.8 | 658.9 |
Domestic consumption of cereal seeds (in 1000 t)
| 1993/94 | 1994/95 | 1995/96 | 1996/97 |
| 1028 | 1008 | 1042 | 1066 |
| 1994/95 | 1995/96 | 1996/97 | 1997/98 | |
| N | 1786.1 | 1769.2 | 1758.0 | 1788.4 |
| P2 05 | 449.6 | 401.7 | 415.1 | 409.6 |
| K2 0 | 667.1 | 652.2 | 645.8 | 658.9 |
The utilisation of biomass for energy production has a long tradition. In recent years, the interest in biomass for energy has increased. Some of the reasons are:
Bioenergy covers nearly 1% of total energy consumption in Germany. However, all in all, around 8 - 9% of the German final energy consumption could theoretically be covered by biomass. The main environmental effect of this would be to curb Germany's CO2 emissions by up to 7%. Comparing the energy potential of biomass with its current use, the following picture emerges:
Utilisation of renewable feedstocks in the energy sector:
| Raw material | Current use (PJ/a) |
Potential (PJ/a) |
Potential (1000 ha) |
| Solid biomass for heat and electricity production | 100,6 | 837 | - |
|
97.0 | 407 | - |
| Straw | 0.5 | 108 | 1,500 |
| Forest/wood residues, landscape conser- vation wood | 96.5 | 218 | - |
| Biogas substrates (animal wastes) | 0.1 | 81 | - |
|
3.6 | 430 | 2,000 |
| Rapeseed oil for biodiesel (1997) in 1000 t | 70 | 200 | 200 |
Source: Bericht des BML 5 Jahre Nachwachsende Rohstoffe, 1998
There are different reasons for the low share of renewable energy carriers in the German energy mixture:
On the other hand, biomass has several advantages as a solid, gaseous or liquid energy source:
In relation to the economic efficiency of biomass, four areas may be differentiated:
- fast growing species plantations, such as poplars,
- the use of mass cereals, and
- the combustion of liquid bioenergy carriers such as rapeseed oil.
Studies have been conducted, and are still in progress (e.g. ecological audits) to assess the value of renewable raw materials from an environmental point of view. Results are promising with regard to the contribution of biogenic fuels in reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the use of vegetable oil as lubricants and in hydraulic systems, reducing soil and water contamination, and of biodegradable packaging materials and ingredients of detergents. In 1997, a total of DM 56 million is available for this sphere. The government contributes substantially to the development of biomass as an energy carrier:
Challenges
In view of the high intensity levels in crop and animal production (in terms of mechanisation and chemical inputs), and of output-oriented and yield-oriented practices, much had and has to be done to bring about better harmony between the agricultural sector and environmental protection, nature conservation, nutritional and health demands of consumers, and animal welfare.
Since the 1950s, technical developments and the development of general economic conditions have led to higher pressure on the environment from agriculture. During the last few years an important change towards ecologically sustainable agriculture was initiated by farmers themselves as well as by the government which led, for example, to a reduced input of nutrients from mineral fertilizer and to a reduction of risks to the environment resulting from the use of plant protection products.
The need for actions aimed at environmentally sound production practices has arisen from various influencing factors, for example:
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
According to the principle of subsidiarity, farmers are invited to participate in special Laender programmes for the agricultural sector, which combine both environmental concerns and economic requirements. Today, nearly 30 per cent of the agricultural landscape in Germany is covered by these programmes. The assistance of official or private extension services which give advice to farmers has a long tradition in Germany and is generally accepted. The combination of economic incentives and voluntary efforts guarantees an environmental surplus, conservation of natural resources and sustainable agricultural development.
An important approach to raising awareness of sustainable agriculture practices is the inclusion and emphasis of professional training and of problem-oriented and action-oriented environmental education in professional training. The provision of qualifications for ecologically sound agricultural and forestry production geared to the principles of sustainability is therefore an integral part of all regulations on training and education in agriculture, home economics and forestry in Germany. In addition to imparting knowledge, it is also important to build up an understanding of sound and sustainable management of natural resources. All those involved in the German education system show great commitment to that issue and cooperate closely with each other in this respect. Laender, chambers, professional and trade union establishments on the one hand and non-governmental environment organisations, environment foundations and institutions on the other offer a wide range of environmental education for the further education of staff and senior staff engaged in agricultural, forestry and home economics activities as well as for entrepreneurial extension. Because of the great importance of sustainable management, these extension services will also in future be provided free by public agencies.
Intensive advisory services for farmers regarding questions relating to the use of plant protection products, training in integrated pest management and modern application techniques at agricultural schools as well as in special adult education courses additionally reduces application risks on farm level. All users of plant protection products have to prove their knowledge of integrated pest management and application techniques to get a state plant protection certificate.
In the last few years, limited income capacities on farms have intensified the interest of agricultural families in other income possibilities offered by non-agricultural activities. In addition to traditional activities in the sectors of salaried labor and machine leasing, tourism and direct marketing, particularly activities in the services sector have become more important, e.g. landscape and grassland management, household services or assisting the elderly and/or people needing special care.
The plant protection services of the Laender further expanded the inspection of plant stands for the occurrence of harmful organisms with the aim of informing the enterprises about the most suitable plant protection measures respectively, providing advice, if necessary, and progressively implementing IPM in the process. In this context, a tight network of weather and climate stations has been established over the past few years in the southern German Laender, in particular, designed to inspect the occurrence of harmful organisms in arable farming (cereals, potatoes) as well as to give guidance in decision-making with respect to prevention and control measures in fruit cultivation and hop growing especially. The research and testing facilities of the Laender have been primarily geared to developing integrated crop farming systems, in which IPM plays a central role. The establishment of monitoring for diseases and pests in arable farming (Bavaria, Saxony) as well as the setting-up of a valuation model for ecologically-sound agriculture (Thuringia) constitute key developments in the process.
There are no statistical data on the implementation of IPM training measures. The official plant protection service in the Laender and the cultivation associations offer practitioners subscription of newsletters, educational and further training seminars, methodical instruction and increasingly online information on plant protection. IPM is particularly taken into account in fruit cultivation, viticulture and horticulture. Most of the practitioners producing fruit, field vegetables and vegetables in greenhouses regularly attend training seminars on IPM held by integrated production organizations. This attendance is compulsory if the enterprises want to use an IPM label. This also applies to further training seminars on IPM. In arable farming, where controlled integrated production is still poorly organized, farmers are trained in the context of general provision of information by the German plant protection establishments on selected focuses of the integrated concept, e.g. monitoring and threshold levels or "cultural control" of harmful organisms. The first eleven pilot enterprises for IPM in arable farming have been set up in Baden W?ttemberg. In the context of agricultural and horticultural vocational training, IPM has become an integral part of curricula. In the years since 1992, 1,400 and 2000 graduates annually in Bavaria alone have successfully completed corresponding training courses.
Information
Information about issues of sustainable agriculture in the fields of education, further education and extension is provided by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Forestry in the framework of publications and press releases (www.bml.de) and in the Agricultural Information Network (www.dainet.de). At the federal level, the Evaluation and Information Service of German Agriculture (Auswertungs- und Informationsdienst der Deutschen Landwirtschaft - aid) offers a wide range of information in all media (e.g. www.aid.de). Moreover, all institutions of the Laender, the professional groups and the trade unions concerned with education and extension issues have their own information and internet services.
There is a German Centre for Documentation and Information in Agriculture, ZADI (http://www.dainet.de/zadi). ZADI is the main scientific information institution of the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Forestry (BML). It gives advice and support in all questions of information management for the BML and for the federal research centres associated with the ministry. The ZADI coordinates the activities of the Information System on Food, Agriculture and Forestry (FIS-ELF). Furthermore the ZADI fulfils the tasks of centralised documentation, information and coordination in the field of genetic resources for food, agriculture and forestry.
ZADI has a special information system on genetic resources, Genres (http://www.dainet.de/genres). Genres provides information about national, European and international activities on conservation and sustainable utilisation of genetic resources for food, agriculture and forestry.
Linked to that, a Federal Information System Genetic Resources (BIG) is under development (http:///www.dainet.de/genres/big). The BIG project aims at developing an integrated information system on plant genetic resources that covers a wide range of taxonomic, genetic, biological, ecological and geographical information. It will permit complex searches in heterogeneous, decentralised databases, and thus facilitate access to the actual germplasm.
Sustainable agriculture is also one focus of the brochure "Germany's position as an agricultural location", which was published by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Forestry in 1998. Some of the issues dealt with are: soil conservation, plant protection, fertilisation, livestock farming, organic farming and renewable resources.
The German Meteorological Service (Deutscher Wetterdienst, DWD) collects the data of importance to agriculture within the framework of its network for weather forecasts. Furthermore, data are collected in the climate network and in the phenological monitoring network. The data are accessible to the general public in the shape of monthly and annual reports, for example, of the agro-meteorological weekly report, climate atlases and phenological maps. Apart from this, there are agro-meteorological monitoring stations within the framework of the development and application of computer-based decision models, e.g. in the field of fertilisation.
In Germany, there is in general no risk of a lack of food supplies. Nevertheless, the growing harvest is observed as part of an institutionalised reporting system ("Ernteberichterstattung"), the results of which are used for purposes of market analysis and forecasts. In addition, a system of emergency measures is established, comprising analysis of regional production and consumption, public stockholding and further preparations targeted for cases of food shortages caused by either civilian or political and military crises.
Germany is participating in international activities to develop indicators for sustainable agriculture, including:
These activities comprise a huge set of primarily environment-related indicators, which have to be tested during the next few years. Indicators which are related to the economic and social dimensions of sustainable agriculture have not yet been developed. These indicators must include the economic situation of farms and of rural areas. Statistical data on the economic situation of farmers are available.
Moreover there are some other activities to create indicators for measuring the sustainability of agriculture (Laender, scientific institutes, private organisations). A main problem is the availability and quality of data.
Research and Technologies
The principles of good professional practice for agricultural soil use encompass, in particular, that
The principles have meanwhile been elaborated in more detail and recommendations for action regarding good professional practice in agricultural soil use have been derived. Agriculture must comply with them in the preparation and carrying out of measures on soil use and they should be imparted by the agricultural extension establishments competent under Land law in their extension activities.
Risks are not only to be reduced in the application of plant protection products but also in other areas such as non-chemical measures, e.g.:
In fruit and vegetable growing, a large number of farmers operate according to the principles of integrated plant protection. Roughly 80 per cent of vegetables are produced according to supervised integrated plant protection procedures. Success in field cultivation through the introduction of integrated plant protection has already been visible for a long time. The use of damage thresholds, especially in the control of weeds and certain harmful organisms, is now widespread, and a large percentage of farmers reduce the use of plant protection products, depending on the degree of infestation. The use of herbicides can be reduced by 25 to 30 per cent, with the level of safety remaining the same, through the use of damage thresholds and situationally adjusted amounts.
Computer-assisted forecast and decision models are becoming increasingly important for a well-timed use of plant protection measures. At present in Germany, there are several extensive forecast systems either already in use or about to be introduced. Through optimal use of this procedure, the amount of plant protection products used in specific crops can be reduced by anywhere from one quarter to one third without increasing plant cultivation risks. The frequency of usage can also be reduced in some cultures. As far as the reduction of exposure is concerned, such forecast procedures, therefore, deserve high marks. The development and optimisation of computer-assisted forecast procedures will continue to be promoted for a long time.
In order to promote environmentally sound livestock farming, management techniques are being developed to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus emissions, and new technologies have been developed for the storage and placement of liquid manure.
For over 15 years now the Federal Government has been promoting renewable resources with diverse measures. Bioenergy has always been an important part of this programme. In 1983, the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Forestry submitted the first global concept for renewable resources and bioenergy.
Integrated plant cultivation aims at gearing all management measures to the site conditions, with the emphasis on precautionary measures and measures promoting soil fertility. As far as possible, this model is being implemented in the field of fertilisation by the Fertiliser Ordinance, for example (see programme area J, Nos.16 and 17) through extension activities in the Laender and various research activities.
Analyses of the overall effects of technical innovations and incentives on farm households are made within projects of technology assessment.
The agricultural research system comprises several universities – which fall within the responsibility of the Laender -, Federal Research Institutions and institutions financed cooperatively by the Federation and the Laender.
Factors, affecting food demand, are primarily raised within publicly-funded and private research.
Within the Research Framework Programme ("Forschungsrahmenplan") of the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Forestry priorities are defined for the work of the Federal Research Institutions. These priorities also comprise scientific information on various production systems and technologies.
In Germany there are several research activities dealing with the effects of increased ultraviolet radiation on plants and animals. Among others, the following research institutions are active in this field.
| Name of institution | Place | Field | Remarks |
| GSF-Forschungszentrum für Umwelt und Gesundheit | Oberschleissheim close to Munich | Several projects on the effects of ultraviolet radiation on animals and plants. | Sun simulation with increased ultraviolet
radiation in climate chambers National and international co-operation |
| BayFOR-UV Forschungsverbund Bayern (co-ordinator: Institut für Botanik II, Universitaet Würzburg) |
State of Bavaria (co-ordinator: Institut für Botanik II, Würzburg) |
Numerous multi-annual projects on increased ultraviolet radiation in Bavaria: consequences and measures. | Extensive ultraviolet measuring net Numerous scientific co-operation projects |
| Institut für Botanik II, Universitaet Karlsruhe |
Karlsruhe | Numerous research projects on ultraviolet radiation and genotype interaction concerning crops | Quantification of growth and yield of maize, beans, barley, rye |
| Fraunhofer Institut für Atmosphaerische Umweltforschung | Garmisch- Partenkirchen |
Multi-annual research on ultraviolet radiation on the development and growth of crops and forest plants | Use of solar domes "(greenhouses with filter glass) in lowland and mountain areas (1000 metres and - in future - 2000 metres) |
Financing
Within the framework of the Joint Task for the Improvement of Agricultural Structures and Coastal Protection (Gemeinschaftsaufgabe "Verbesserung der Agrarstruktur und des K?tenschutzes", GAK), the agricultural investment promotion programme (Agrarinvestitionsf?derungsprogramm, AFP) promotes individual investment to make use of additional income sources. This applies e.g. to the possibility of converting former agricultural buildings. The model projects which are promoted by loans given by the agricultural bank, the Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank, are to contribute to the implementation of the new promotion for the conversion of agricultural buildings, ensuring that the former agricultural buildings are used in a useful and effective way. Other tasks to be fulfilled by government agencies are to inform agricultural families about the numerous possibilities regarding income combinations. Case studies can support the economic reorientation and reduce the initial doubts about a start in new areas of business.
A number of Laender also provide financial aid for integrated production and thus for IPM. The focus lies on fruit and vegetable cultivation, some Laender have also included arable farming, viticulture or hop growing in their support. Within the framework of integrated production requirements and restrictions going beyond good professional practice in plant protection, in particular regarding the use of plant protection products, are laid down in the variously shaped programmes of promotion. Yet, promotion also focuses on modern plant protection technology, aids for pest prognosis and inspection as well as alternative or biological plant protection measures.
In spite of several long-term studies uniform statements regarding the costs and benefits involved in IPM cannot be made for fruit cultivation, viticulture as well as for horticulture and arable farming. Fruit cultivation, viticulture and horticulture show that the necessary aids, extension and plant protection products, which are expensive but conserve beneficial organisms, as well as biological methods frequently offset the actual cuts in the number of applications. Controlled integration production is on balance frequently more expensive than conventional production and does not guarantee higher proceeds on the market. Apart from higher expenditure for the inspection and control decision as well as for more cost-intensive plant protection measures, a gradually increased risk to the quantity and quality of production can also be expected. The benefits lie in the safety and stability of the marketing of products derived from integrated production and labeled as such. The introduction of labels of origin and quality has proved its worth in most of the Laender to ensure the compliance with the guidelines of integrated and controlled cultivation, and also includes arable farming in isolated cases (Baden-Wüttemberg). The cuts in plant protection products achieved on the basis of IPM are considerable.
A sewage sludge compensation fund was established to provide for residual risks resulting from agricultural utilisation of sewage sludge. It is expected that increased use of sewage sludge in agriculture will contribute to better closed nutrient cycles. Limit values for toxic agents in sewage sludge and waste have been implemented and certain applications of these wastes in agriculture as fertilizers have been banned.
Cooperation
The reform of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy in 1992 initiated a radical change in market organisation intended to lower output levels in the farming sector. Environmental protection back-up measures were approved. New regulations provide for programmes encouraging farmers to adopt environmentally sound agricultural practices. In addition to these efforts, higher productivity has led to a more efficient use of factors. Community regulations also refer to the afforestation of agricultural land. The approach taken by the 1992 reform was further developed by the "Agenda 2000" reform package, which was finalised in spring 1999.
The reform continues the process of stronger market orientation of agriculture and will strengthen the competitiveness of the agricultural economy in international markets. The development of the policy for rural areas and a more stringent consideration of environmental concerns are among the central elements of the reform. Nevertheless, in some areas there might be conflicts between the two goals of agricultural market policy on the one hand and agricultural environmental policy on the other. The future challenge will be to comply with ecological, economic and social aspects of sustainability simultaneously.
To create alternative employment opportunities in rural areas and to back structural change in agriculture, the federal government will pursue an integrated strategy with elements of regional, structural, and environmental policy.
The Joint Task of Agrarian Structure and Coastal Protection caters to requirements of nature conservation and landscape management and promotes marketing of agricultural products from ecological farming. EU regulations also refer to labeling of products from ecological farming. They were extended to livestock production in 1999.
German development cooperation to promote sustainable agriculture covers a broad spectrum and embraces all sub-sectors of agriculture and rural development. The cooperation aims at creating an incentive-based political framework through policy advice, and works at the institutional level through capacity building on input and output markets. It supports the establishing and strengthening of extension and research institutions as essential elements of a sustainable agriculture strategy. Such sustainable development programmes depend on an appropriate infrastructure system, health care services, and training and education capacities. Sustainable agriculture is the backbone of food security and thus of social development, especially in rural areas.
Some 40 per cent of German net disbursements on bilateral and multilateral official development assistance (ODA) (1997 US $ 5,856.8 million) benefit rural development and food security.
Through food aid totaling US $ 244.5 million in 1997 (including Germany's share in EU food aid) as well as through development-oriented food security measures, Germany contributes to overcoming hunger and emergency situations caused by natural disasters or wars.
* * *
This information was provided by the Government of Germany to the fifth, sixth and eighth sessions of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last Update: February 2000.For
the Federal Soil Protection Act, click here.
For
the Federal Fertilizers Act, click here.
For country reports on Plant Genetic
Resources, click here.
To access the FAOSTAT Data Base for
information by country, item, element and year, click here.
Click here to link to the Biosafety
Information Network and Advisory Service (BINAS), a service of the United Nations
Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), which monitors global developments in
regulatory issues in biotechnology.
Click here to link to Country and
Sub-regional Information on Plant Genetic Resources of the Food and Agricultural
Organization of the United Nations.
Click here to go
to Web Site of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which includes information on the Codex
Alimentarius and the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme.
Click here to access the Web Site of the
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR).
Click here to access the sixteen
international agricultural research centers that are members of the CGIAR.
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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The following government ministries/ agencies are responsible for making decisions for protecting the atmosphere:
Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety / Federal Environmental Agency;
Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology / German Energy Agency (founded on 29 September 2000);
Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Housing
Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture;
Federal Ministry of Education and Research;
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
Federal Ministry for Health
Federal Ministry of Finance
There
is a duty for cooperation within the Federal Government. All Federal Ministries
have to agree on federal laws, ordinances and administrative regulations as well
as on official reports.
a)
Climate protection:
By
decision of 13 June 1990, the Federal Government established the
Interministerial Working Group "CO2 Reduction", which is charged
with identifying the potential for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
(especially CO2 but also the six Kyoto gases (CO2,
CH4, N2O, SF6, H-CFC and CFC). Within this
Interministerial Working Group "CO2 Reduction" under the
chairmanship of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation
and Nuclear Safety, working parties were established for the following topic
areas:
energy supply
(chaired by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology),
transport
(chaired by the Federal Ministry for Transport, Building and Housing),
buildings
(chaired by the Federal Ministry for Transport, Building and Housing),
new
technologies (chaired by: Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology)
agriculture and
forestry (chaired by: Federal Ministry for Consumer Protection, Food and
Agriculture).
For
additional information see answer to question 2 in Questionnaire III.
b)
Ozone depletion:
The following federal ministries are involved in any
regulation or decision-making with respect to ODS:
Fed. Ministry of Economics and Technology
(Technologies, Chemical Industry)
Fed. Ministry of
Defense (Military use of
CFCs, Halons)
Fed. Ministry of Agriculture (Use of
Methylbromide in agriculture)
Fed. Ministry of Health (Use of CFCs in
Metered Dose Inhalers)
Fed. Ministry for Economic Cooperation and
Development (bilateral and multilateral cooperation).
c)
Air Quality Control:
All
Federal Ministries mentioned in the answer to question I.1 are involved in
national and EC regulations concerning air quality including the monitoring of
forests in respect to atmospheric pollution.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
a) air quality control:
National regulations:
Federal Imission Control Act
as the central instrument of air pollution control and 30 implementing
ordinances with regulations for central sectors (commercial/industrial plants,
traffic, households), air quality and products/substances, i.a.
-
Ordinance on Large Combustion Plants (1983)
-
Waste Incineration Plant Ordinance (1990)
-
Hazardous Incident Ordinance (1988)
-
Technical Instruction on Air Quality
Control (for plants; 1974, amended 1986)
-
Lead Petrol Act (since 1987); tax reduction
for unleaded petrol (since 1991)
-
Act on Transport of Hazardous goods (1990)
-
Road Traffic Licensing Ordinance (1988)
-
Ordinance on the Sulphur Content in Heating
Oils (liquid fuels; last revision 2001)
European Community (EC):
Directives on
-
vehicle-related measures (mainly exhaust-gas limit values
> introduction of catalytic converters)
-
product-related measures (i.a. quality of fuels for vehicles and heating oil)
-
national emissions ceilings (with
the aim to combat acidification, eutrophication and ground-level ozone; adoption
expected in 2001)
-
large combustion plants (adoption expected in 2001)
-
ground-level ozone (i.a. defining interim/long-term objectives,
information and alert thresholds; adoption expected in 2001)
-
protection of forests in the community against atmospheric pollution
Development
of reference documents for the definition of the best available technologies
("Sevilla process").
b) ozone depletion:
-
CFC/Halon
Prohibition Ordinance of 6 May 1991,
Regulation (EC)
No 2037/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 June 2000 on
substances that deplete the ozone layer
-
Fourth Ordinance on the Implementation of
the Federal Emission Control Act (on industrial installations)
-
Montreal Protocol on Substances that
Deplete the Ozone Layer
Fiscal and financial regulatory and incentive measures to promote the
protection of the atmosphere
include:
- Ecological
tax reform
- Renewable
Energy Sources Act
- Tax
incentive for the introduction of low sulphur and sulphur-free fuels: From 1 November 2001, fuels with more than 50 ppm sulphur will have an
additional tax of 3 Pfennigs/liter. From the beginning of 2003 this tax is
transferred to fuels with less than 10 ppm sulphur
- Emission-based motor vehicle tax
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
There is an overall strategy for protecting the atmosphere. This strategy
is composed of three national programmes: on Climate Protection, on the
Protection of the Ozone Layer and on Air Quality Control (see answers to
question 7 below). There is a close linkage between these programmes. The
reduction of greenhouse gases based on the climate protection programme and on
the ozone layer contributes significantly to the reduction of air pollutants.
For
many years, air quality control has been a high priority in Germany. The general
strategy in the field of air quality is to reach in the long term the WHO
Standards. The emission reduction is reached by means of national and EU
regulations. There is a wide-ranging number of regulations on air quality
standards, installations and products as well as on administration (see question
4). The Federal Emission Control Act (amended since 1974) establishes the
overall aim of protecting human health, as well as the biological, physical and
cultural environment, from the harmful effects of air pollution. A comprehensive
set of regulations is in place to facilitate implementation of the Act, covering
aspects of air quality management ranging from ambient air quality monitoring to
requirements for fuel quality, plant safety and hazard prevention. Uniform
federal regulations for vast sectors (industry, households, smaller companies,
traffic) are established. The basic principles of the Act are the
polluter pays principle and the precautionary principle.
The
implementation of the demanding regulatory measures to reduce emissions has
shown very positive effects. End of-pipe measures have dramatically
reduced air emissions from a range of source categories, particularly industry,
power production; vehicle standards and economic incentives (see question 5)
have reduced the conventional emissions from passenger vehicles.
In
May 2000, the Federal Government of Germany passed a national programme for the
reduction of ground-level ozone. This programme contains 17 measures (mainly in
the fields of traffic and solvent usage) and will achieve a permanent and
significant further reduction in the ozone precursor substances. The main
measures relate to:
-
emissions-related vehicle tax for passenger cars, heavy commercial
vehicles, light commercial vehicles (combination of weight-related and
emissions-related taxation, motor bikes)
-
introduction of a distance-based motorway charge for commercial vehicles
(toll) with emissions-related components
-
initiative for the EU-wide introduction of a denitrifying catalytic
converter or equivalent technology for diesel-run passenger vehicles and light
commercial vehicles
-
stronger regulation aiming at further reducing VOC emissions in vehicle
refuelling at service stations
-
rapid implementation of the EU VOC Directive into national law, with more
stringent national requirements
-
initiative for the EU-wide introduction of ambitious exhaust gas limit
values for motorcycles
-
initiative for the EU-wide introduction of emissions-related landing
charges
-
initiative within the EU on the labeling and limitation of VOC content
in products used, e.g. in the trade industries or small plants (where these are
not covered by the Solvents Directive).
Because of the transboundary dimension of air pollution and the geographical
situation in central Europe, Germany strongly depends on common measures within
the EU and the UN ECE to improve air quality.
In
fact, EU regulations are becoming more and more important, especially on air
quality standards, vehicles and fuels (they have for example pushed the
introduction of the catalytic converters). The following EU directives have an
overriding role in improving air quality:
-
EU Directive on ambient air quality assessment and management (1996) and
its ¡°daughter directives¡±; definition of concrete air quality standards for
a variety of substances: SO2, NOx, particulates, lead,
ground-level ozone, benzene, CO, poly-aromatic hydrocarbons and some heavy
metals
-
forthcoming EU Directive on national emission ceilings for certain
atmospheric pollutants (NOx, SO2, VOC, NH3)
with the aim to combat the three problems acidification, eutrophication and
ground-level ozone in an integrated manner.
UN/ECE level:
goals of the 6 UN/ECE Protocols to
the 1979 Convention on long-range transboundary air pollution:
sulphur (1985, 1994), NOx (1988),
VOC (1991), heavy metals (1998), POP:s (1998)
protocol to abate acidification, eutrophication and
ground-level ozone, signed in Dec. 1999 ("Gothenburg Protocol"), obligations
for each party to reduce four key pollutants from 1990 to 2010 (see table
below), in order to attain ecological and health targets :
|
|
SO2 |
NOx |
VOC |
NH3 |
|
UN
ECE |
-
63 % |
-
41 % |
-
41 % |
-
17 % |
|
EU
|
-
75 % |
-
49 % |
-
57 % |
-
15 % |
|
Germany
|
-
90 % |
-
60 % |
-
69 % |
-
28 % |
EU level:
goals of the forthcoming EU Directive on National Emission Ceilings (NEC; similar to the "Gothenburg Protocol").
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
The
German Basic Law grants that all relevant social groups and individuals can
participate in the decision-making process (see answer to question 3).
The
Federal Republic of Germany is a federally organised state, i.e. state duties
are distributed between central Government (Bund) and the Federal States (Länder).
The Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany guarantees the regional/local
authorities (municipalities, communities and rural districts) the power of
self-government, i.e. the authority to regulate local community matters on their
own responsibility within the limits possible in law. This also includes shaping
the local environment.
Moreover,
the Länder have conferred powers to enforce many local aspects of national
and parliamentary legislation upon the municipalities and rural districts. The
Basic Law also governs the confines of legislative power between Federal
Government and Länder as well as the execution of Federal law. According to
the Basic Law, the Federal Government has the concurrent legislative
competence for waste management, air pollution control and noise abatement. As
far as the planning of legislation is concerned in areas where the Federal
Government enjoys concurrent legislative power, the Länder are incorporated
in the Federal lawmaking process through the Bundesrat.
The
Länder are in all cases responsible for enforcing Federal legislation and
thus also for executing the state powers incumbent on them in the field of
environmental protection. The Land and local environment administrations are
therefore responsible for implementing environmental protection in the Federal
Republic of Germany.
In
enforcing Government and Länder environmental legislation, the local
authorities are required to perform important tasks of environmental protection,
particularly within their role of self-government as embodied in the Basic Law.
The decisions they take shape local surroundings and change social
and natural environment. Areas of local-authority responsibility include (with
respect to the protection of the atmosphere):
ecologically
compatible traffic planning and appropriate road construction,
The
public must be involved in many licensing proceedings. The responsible authority
must then publish the project and
state the period of time within which the application documents can be examined
by the public. The citizens are then given the opportunity, within the specified
time, to provide the respective authority with suggestions, concerns, and
objections regarding a project in writing or by statements for the record. Such
comments are then considered in a public hearing under the chairmanship of the
responsible authority.
For specific private and public projects the environmental impact assessment is required. At the beginning of the licensing procedure, the project sponsor must submit documents indicating those impacts which the intended project will have on the environment. This procedure involves the general public, the relevant competent authoritie