GERMAN AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES .1. A PRELIMINARY REVIEW

This paper gives a preliminary review of German agri-environmental schemes (including the new Lander). The focus is less on participation rates for individual schemes, but on the analysis of how Germany and the individual Lander are interpreting EU environmental directives. The number, type and specific regulations of schemes offered in each of the German states is discussed, and the German situation is compared with the wider European setting. In contrast to the majority of EU countries, environmental policy for the German countryside is dominated by regionally based programmes, suggesting the operation of the 'regional filter' for agri-environmental schemes. The Lander have a significant role to play in the development, financing and administration of agri-environmental schemes.