Training in Veles: Promotion of agriculture with high natural values and agri-environmental payments through civil society organizations in Macedonia

Agriculture can be a threat to nature, especially through the use of high levels of pesticides and fertilizers, loss of habitats and their characteristics, or inappropriate land use. However, certain types of agriculture - like cattle raising, traditional permanent crops - are essential for the survival of nature. That is why high natural value (HNV) agriculture is the only agriculture that is compatible with nature.

This topic was discussed on the training for representatives of local organizations - members of DEM, that took place in the Hotel Romantic in Veles from the 26th to the 28th of March. The purpose of this training was to train local organizations as well as collaborators about the aspects and the concept of high natural values, including the policy for rural development by the European Union.

Main speakers on the training were Tamsin Cooper, Mark Redman and Kaley Hart.

Tamsin Cooper presenting the HNV concept

Mark Redman spoke about farming with high natural values in Romania

The presentation of Kaley Hart for agro-environmental payments

The project is implemented jointly by the Movement of Ecologists of Macedonia - DEM and the Center for Civic Initiative (CCI), in cooperation with the support of two international NGOs - Avalon from the Netherlands and the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) from Great Britain.

This is a project for conservation of nature ..... but with a difference!