A farmer's view on the Baltic Sea - MTK

“If it helps to prevent pollution, then they (measures) should be obligatory for all”, said one
farmer and “Not too much patronizing, but if we want results, rules will be needed”, said
another.
The arguments to support the notion of at least some obligatory rules were that if there are no
rules “there will be too many that do not bother” and that having same rules for all makes the
situation more equal. Especially, the farmers wanted that farmers from all countries make an
effort and that the rules are same for all. “Measures have to be obligatory in all countries
around the Baltic Sea.”
Furthermore, almost all farmers thought that farmers need to be paid for the
environmental benefits they produce. “It is nowadays so tight in primary production that
there is no room for any extra costs.” This can be done either in form of subsidies or even
preferably in form of better price for agricultural products. “If I get paid for my work and
measures it feels like an incentive to do more.” On the other hand, one farmer said that “I
think farmers should do it because they really want to do well for environment and not
because you can get money for it”. He thought that some farmers just ask support but don’t
follow the rules for the support.
24 out of 30 farmers were interested in learning more about agri-environmental measures to
reduce leaching. Some also answered that they are maybe interested to learn more. Some of
the ones who were interested said that it is not only to improve the Baltic Sea environment
but they are interested in measures that would also improve the financial situation of their
farm.
Manure handling is a measure on which the farmers were planning to
invest. Covered manure storage reduces losses of nitrogen. Photo: Airi
Kulmala
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