"A varied agricultural landscape" and "Thriving wetlands" both have direct coupling to the good environmental effects of agriculture. The harmful effects of agriculture are due mainly to the high losses of nutrients from farming land or to unintended spread of pesticides. This has to do with the objectives "Zero eutrophication" and "A nontoxic environment". Other environmental quality objectives, such as "Flourishing lakes and streams", "Groundwater of good quality" and "A balanced marine environment, flourishing coastal areas and archipelagos" are also affected by the discharges of agriculture to water.
The aim of achieving a nontoxic environment is that the environment should be free from compounds and metal created or extracted by society, which may threaten human health and biodiversity. What do you think of the development in the use of chemical pesticides by agriculture?
- Since 1988, the calculated environmental and health hazards have diminished substantially. Environmental hazards have diminished by 51 per cent and health hazards by 66 per cent. Owing to the new chemical legislation by EU, development will be affected so that pesticides that are dangerous will be gradually replaced. We have set up 16 environmental objectives in Sweden, and the objective of a nontoxic environment is one of these.
The Environmental Objectives Council considers that the objective "Zero eutrophication" is very difficult to achieve in one generation. According to the Council, the discharges of eutrophying compounds continue to diminish, but the state of the environment does not improve to the same extent. The Baltic Sea in particular is seriously affected by eutrophication. How will you deal with this?
- We have a project in progress called "Keep hold of nutrients" which is also being exported to other countries around the Baltic. Through dissemination of knowledge to farmers in this project, the use of fertilisers has been reduced. Manure today is stored in a different way so that it does not leak out to the environment. Synthetic fertilisers are used in such a way that plants receive nutrients when they most need these, which also minimises leakage. We have a countryside programme in which measures are constantly being taken to minimise the inputs of nitrogen and phosphorus to the Baltic. I have also taken a decision to increase grants for new storage ponds and improvements to wetlands so that they are protected.
A varied agricultural landscape can be achieved by protecting the value of farming land for biological production and food production, while preserving or strengthening biodiversity and cultural heritage. What policy instruments are used to achieve the desired effects?
- A profitable agriculture can be achieved by retaining pastures. Pastures are needed for the preservation of biodiversity in our landscapes. The countryside programme provides grants for increasing the size of land that is grazed or taken out of cultivation. This is a strong instrument, but the principal objective is nevertheless to achieve profitable production. Profitability is under pressure owing to the competition by our immediate neighbours Denmark and Germany in the common European market. We have therefore lowered the self-employed contributions made by the group of small businessmen, which includes farmers. We have increased the opportunities for farmers to receive investment grants.
The government has a vision that Sweden should become the new food producing country. The background is that the food sector has great potential for growth. The sector is now the fourth largest industry in the country. The sector will be given stimulus for growth through a countryside programme and research grants. What is the position regarding these initiatives?
- They are progressing very well. Food exports are on the increase, new local processing firms which can safeguard regional specialities are being set up.The production of fruit and vegetables has greatly increased. The objective is to create 10,000 new jobs, most of them in the countryside. This will help us in achieving the environmental objectives of a varied agricultural landscape.
Sweden has the responsibility for fisheries issues in the work on the EU strategy for the Baltic Sea region. How can the government's objective to create work through commercial and recreational fishing, and the fishing industry, be reconciled with the problems associated with the overfishing of certain species of fish?
- We have a number of collaborations in this area, primarily within the EU but also through the Baltic Sea Council. We want to agree on management plans for these species so that we have a long term preservation plan. For some species we have achieved this, and it has been successful. We have taken the initiative to increase the mesh size in fishing nets, so that the number of fish that are thrown back into the sea because they are too small can be reduced. Our objective is to eliminate and prohibit all bycatch. We are also working on improving the marine environment so that the natural species flourish. We have special quotas for the small scale coastal fishing. This must take several aspects into consideration, such as local culture and recreation. The objective is to bring about harmonious coexistence between natural and cultivated environments. After all, small scale fishing does not vaccum up the fish from the sea in the way that large scale fishing mostly does. The Stockholm archipelago and Torne river are examples of areas where we will make it possible for action to be taken to develop fishing for tourism, recreation and commercial activity.
Sweden is the most heavily forested country in Europe. And in this area there are several conflicts of interest. How shall we use the forest in the best way?
- In our forest legislation we have objectives of equal status for environment and production in the forest. General consideration is given to nature, cultural and environmental values. We also have a Riksdag resolution that the State should protect 400,000 hectares of productive forest land. Forestry voluntarily protects 500,000 hectares. As regards the future of the forest, I believe that it is the market that should determine what the forest is to be used for. What this presumably means is that the forest wll be used is about the same way as today. I think however that there will be some new fields of application for the forest. The chemicals yielded by trees will be a new niche. I think there is a danger in society moving in to control.
- There is now also a new policy instrument to promote forest yield. The method is called KOMET and is now being tested in a number of counties. If a forest owner considers that there is something on his property that is worth protecting for the future, he can offer the authorities the chance to enter into an agreement concerning formal protection.
A year ago the EU ministers of agriculture agreed on new stricter rules for the protection of animals on slaughter. Sweden can adopt stricter rules if there is a need for this. Do you see any such need? What do you think of local mobile slaughterhouses that decrease the need for animals to undergo stressful journeys?
- I am happy that Sweden could retain exemption from the EU slaughter rules, so that in Sweden all animals are stunned before slaughter. I have a favourable view on mobile slaughterhouses. But there are problems regarding disposal of the residual products and water problems that must be solved before this activity can develop. On the other hand, we have granted funds for small slaughterhouses. In a short time, 18 new ones have been started. This reduces the length over which animals have to travel. The State pays some of the control charges that must be paid prior to slaughter, amounting to MSEK 9 annually. Through this, a number of new jobs have been created, often in remote parts of the country. It is also possible that processing of the products will provide further job opportunities.
The national objective for organic production and consumption, with the aim of protecting animals and the environment, expires this year. What will the new objective be like?
- We have an organic production objective plus a consumption objective, which are to be achieved by 2010. When the year is over we will make an evaluation. I think that we will set up new objectives for this area, since organic production helps traditional production by developing new methods which reduce the use of pesticides and eutrophication. All gain by this.