2nd Meeting of the Thematic Group on Landscape Features and Biodiversity - Report

The Thematic Group (TG) on Landscape Features & Biodiversity aimed to bring Member State (MS) representatives and stakeholders together to discuss how to encourage improved diversity, coverage, connectivity and condition of landscape features within agricultural areas.

The objectives of this 2nd TG meeting were to share experience on designing schemes that maintain, restore and create landscape features, identify key factors for successfully stimulating uptake of these schemes to enhance biodiversity and deliver ecosystem services and to turn the lessons learned into key messages and recommendations.

The meeting opened with a plenary session on the benefits of landscape features. Group work sessions then focused on two key questions: how CAP interventions can best be used and schemes designed to lead to an enhancement in the condition, diversity and coverage of landscape features; and what needs to be put in place to increase engagement and action by Managing Authorities and farmers to maintain, restore and create landscape features. Four TG members concluded the event by offering their key takeaways and recommendations from both TG meetings and related activities.