Summary:

Natura 2000 areas embrace approx. 21.5 thousand special habitat protection areas (12.8% of the EU territory) and approx. 4.8 thousand special bird protection areas (10% of the EU territory). Polish National Agri-environmental Scheme with its 9 work packages, part of the Rural Development Policy for the years 2007–2013, helps to improve Polish natural environment and constitutes a significant contribution to the realisation of Natura 2000 goals. For example, an agri-environmental scheme realised in Austria as part of the activities for the protection of the Lafnitz River cultural landscape (extensive meadow management) helps to safeguard natural assets of this river and riparian areas. Brenne regional national park in France introduced so-called sustainable agriculture contracts involving extensive grazing, hunting, fish farming, etc. An integrated agriculture management project for marshy areas situated in the southern part of Andalusia (reduction of agrotechnical measures, ban on weed abatement burning) is a Spanish example of activities for the protection of valuable ecosystems. In Poland, current agri-environmental schemes realised for the years 2007–2013 are based upon the principle of good and environment-friendly agricultural policies. A small island Stora Karlsö next to Gotland (Sweden) is implementing a restoration programme for its grassland open landcape: the reduction of juniper bushes and exotic plants is based upon the principle of sustainable grazing and mowing economy. Halkyn Mountain in Great Britain is yet another good example of an agri-environmental scheme which combines the advantages of natural resource exploration (limestone) with the natural heritage of the region (ecological education, definition of sheep grazing principles, assistance for entrepreneurs). EU agri-environmental schemes attempt at a successful combination of ecological diversity protection with unrestricted social and economic development.