Socio-economic factors influencing farmers’ willingness to undertake environmental responsibility

Acknowledging the importance of water resources protection and sustainable management, the European Parliament enacted directives based on the “polluter-pays” principle aiming for “environmental damage” protection and restoration of water resources. The main aim of this paper is to examine, for the first time in Greece, the possibility of achieving environmental goals, such as reduction of agrochemical pollution and irrigation water use, alongside with the farmers’ willingness to undertake the environmental costs arising from their activity. In a questionnaire survey, conducted using a “state preference” method, participants were asked to respond on whether they are willing to absorb an “environmental charge” for the protection and restoration of surface and ground water. It is an essential precondition to understand the factors that affect taxpayers’ willingness to participate in the Water Framework Directive, as they are expected to cover the cost of its implementation. The identification of the driving forces that affect stakeholders’ environmental decisions can emerge as an important and useful tool in extending public participation in the Water Framework Directive.