Natura 2000 Agricultural Compensation Policy

This funding is aimed at farmers in Saxony-Anhalt who are affected by usage restrictions on ecologically significant areas. The program aims to preserve natural habitats and those created by human use, as well as the species occurring within them, thereby safeguarding biodiversity. It serves to compensate for additional costs and income losses arising from the legal protection of conservation areas.

The Natura 2000 Agricultural Compensation Program focuses on financial compensation for environment-specific management restrictions on permanent grassland areas within protected sites. The focus is on restrictions regarding fertilization that go beyond the usual requirements for good agricultural and ecological condition.

The Natura 2000 Agricultural Compensation Policy offers non-repayable grants as compensation for specific management restrictions. The amount of funding varies depending on the type of restriction and the farm's livestock density, with fixed rates per hectare of permanent grassland applying.

To receive compensation payments, applicants and their agricultural holdings must meet certain conditions and comply with obligations. This includes adherence to management restrictions, documentation requirements, and the prohibition of double funding.

The application for compensation payments must be submitted annually in writing and using a specific form. Important steps include the confirmation of management restrictions by the nature conservation authority and the timely submission of all required documents.

The funding program is anchored by a specific policy of the state of Saxony-Anhalt and is supported by a variety of national and European regulations and laws. These comprehensive legal bases ensure the legitimacy and framework for granting the compensation payments.