Annex 3 Summary of ms assessments

Slovakia

Agricultural land covers 49.7 % and forest land 40.84 % of the total area of Slovakia (4,903, 423 hectares). Abandonment of agricultural land was not significant in recent years; however, it has been possible to observe a change of arable land to meadows and pastures. The highest share of utilised agricultural are (UAA) (2 255 000 ha) is represented by arable land (61.7), which is the basis for intensive plant production. The less favoured areas cover 1 225 764 hectares, about 50 % of total UAA.

The Slovak agricultural sector is characterised by a dual farm structure. Small scale family farms cultivate less than 10% of total UAA, while large corporate farms cultivate around 90%. The Slovak agricultural sector is characterised by an extensive production system: 19% of UAA is used for extensive arable crops and 48% of UAA is utilised for extensive grazing. Livestock density is 0.42 live stock units (LSU) per ha, which is also well below the EU27 average (0.80). There is no statement on whether intensification is increasing or decreasing. However, the Slovak RDP recognises the importance of extensive agricultural production. Organic farming accounts for 2% of agricultural land.

Water issues and concerns about water quality are explicitly considered as priorities within the RDP, mainly due to nutrient pollution. Contamination by organic compounds is a local problem in some groundwater bodies. Pesticides are not reported as a problem. In addition, water erosion and soil loss have also been identified as key environmental pressures that need to be addressed. Flooding is also mentioned as a threat. Water use (groundwater and surface water) has dropped since the 1990s.

Around 50% of the public expenditure is dedicated to measures under Axis 2 “Improving the environment and the countryside”. One explicit goal of the axis is “Maintaining and improving the quality of surface and ground waters”. Around 13% of the public expenditure budget is foreseen for agri-environmental measures (AEMs) under Axis 2.

The measures under Axis 3, which cover 14% of the public budget, are also likely to address some water management issues through support of water supply and waste water treatment systems.

Axis I receives 33% of the public budget with the majority spent on the measure 121 “modernization of farms”. This measure can help to achieve Water Framework Directive (WFD) objectives as it supports investments in wastewater treatment, safe storage and processing of wastewater and biological waste (building of dunghills, storage containers or cesspools). For irrigation, the focus of the support will be on modernisation of existing irrigation systems to improve water use efficiency.

The Common Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (CMEF) is used to control the impacts of the programme. No additional national indicators are used to measure the impact on water. For all measures, quantitative targets have been identified where possible. Controls will be based on accounting data and physical on-the-spot checks. Impact indicators are designed to go beyond direct effects on beneficiaries.

Water issues are addressed in all axes of the RD programme, but the measures are not based on the Art 5 impacts and pressure assessment required by the WFD. Most of the data used is from 2002. However, it is stated that the WFD will play an important role in the revision of the RDP, including revisions to use measure 213 to compensate farmers for income foregone due to the implementation of the WFD.

Around 50% of the total public budget has been dedicated to measures under Axis 2 “Improving the environment and the countryside”. One explicit goal of Axis 2 is “Maintaining and improving the quality of surface and ground waters”. The measures included cover the total area of Slovakia as well as specific zones requiring particular environmental protection. A focus is put on soil erosion and water protection. Within Measure 214 (agri-environmental measures) there are two groups of sub-measures linked to water management issues: measures related to environmentally friendly farming methods and soil protection measures. In addition, the measure Forest - Environment Payments (225) is also important for improving water management, in particular in the context of flood management.

Although measures under Axis 1 aim to improve agricultural competitiveness, they can also be used to support water management, for example investments in wastewater treatment. However, at the same time, there is a risk that modernisation leads to intensification of agricultural production, which can be detrimental to the water quality and quantity. While several measures make an explicit reference to water or WFD, there are only a few where an explicit direct link to improved water management can be identified.

Under Axis III, measure 322 (Village renewal and development) provides funding for water management infrastructure (water supply, sewage systems). This should also help to improve water quality.

Conclusions and options for further improvements of the RD as regards to water

With respect to the water problems reported in the SWOT analyses, the measures selected seem to appropriate. Only the issue of organic compounds in some areas is not clearly addressed. However, as the SWOT assessment does not take into account the results of the Art. 5 assessment, it is recommended that a revision of the RDP incorporates the outcomes of the Art. 5 assessment.

Furthermore, due to the modernisation of the agricultural sector in Slovakia, there is also a risk of increased intensification. This should be tracked carefully and any revision of the RDP should take this into account by adjusting the measures in accordance with the new problems identified.