Natura 2000 provides a valuable basis for the conservation of biodiversity and it should be seen as a considerable step in Europe's nature conservation. There is probably no disagreement about this. Having said that, it is undoubtedly true that Natura 2000 is still far from satisfying the requirements of a connected network that can meet future changes in the landscape, including climate change. To achieve this network further improvement of the quality and connectivity in the surrounding matrix is a crucial next step. Reforms of the common agricultural policy (CAP) (and its subsidy system) should take up this challenge!

At the recent meeting of the European Grassland Federation in Tartu, Estonia there was a widespread agreement that CAP reform was far from meeting the requirements for the 2010 target to halt the loss of biodiversity in the EU. Even after the intended CAP reform, intensification of agriculture will be stimulated together with the abandonment of low-productive, species-rich areas. However, several agri-environment schemes (see Grassland Science in Europe (2005), Vol. 10) have shown that the 'production of biodiversity' and the improvement of landscape connectivity can be successfully met when ecological criteria receive an adequate priority, for example in Switzerland. Also, large-scale low-input ranching systems may be an ecologically and socio-economically viable option in the future (Kumm, 2004; J. Nature Cons. 12, 213-218). So, upgrading the priority for biodiversity in CAP reform by providing farmers with incentives to promote biodiversity, can lead to a strengthened Natura 2000 network and thereby may contribute to a solution for the climate change problem.

Michiel WallisDeVries
De Vlinderstichting - Dutch Butterfly Conservation
Postbus 506
NL-6700 AM Wageningen
The Netherlands