Payment-by-results agri-environmental support for grasslands in Europe-Lessons learnt for future agri-environmental support in Wales

摘要

Grasslands are the main agricultural land use in less favoured areas in Wales. They receive considerable financial support through standard action-based agri-environmental schemes (AES). Ecological success of action-based approach has been criticisedfor not delivering value for money. Evidence from Europe suggests that grassland Payment by Result (PBR) approaches improve environmental outcomes and are more cost-effective than action-based schemes Successful PBR approaches have built on existing action-based schemes, engage fanners in scheme construction, develop easily measurable indicators, and involve extensive trial periods A PBR approach was rejected for the Glastir AES in Wales but, we argue, it would be possible to implement a PBR approach modelled on European successes. Simplicity of PBR components would encourage buy-in to PBR approach and foster acceptance by farmers and administrators.