COUNTRY REPORT ON THE PRESENT ENVIRONMENTAL SITUATION IN AGRICULTURE
- CROATIA -

INTRODUCTION

Due to unfavourable economic conditions in the entire economy, and because of the poor economic position of a large number of producers over a long period, Croatian agriculture has been a rather insignificant polluter of the environment. Family farms in particular, having a greater part of agricultural resources, have used less potentially harmful inputs in agriculture. On the other hand, an underdeveloped ecological sense and unsatisfactory professional support for the producers caused in rural areas an inadequate use of inputs, and an unorganized disposal of the waste and by-products of agricultural production. Rational management of waste and harmful stuffs is commonly legalized practice in agricultural companies, but on the majority of family farms in rural areas no attention was paid to this problem in the past. Today, there is an institutional and legal framework established in Croatia for regular monitoring and control of all important factors affecting the environment. Agricultural production is affecting the environment on the one hand by using potentially harmful inputs (pesticides, fertilizers, manure), and by its by-products and waste on the other.

The considerable pressure of agriculture on the environment is expected in the future due to an increased need for intensifying agricultural production as one of the basic economic activities in Croatia. The most rapid production growth in conventional agriculture should be achieved through an increased use of fertilizers and pesticides. The plan for the next decade is to reach the level of current consumption of these inputs in developed countries. According to predicted agricultural development, and requests for environmental protection, the consumption of these inputs has to be rational and controlled. There is also a need to develop the concept of sustainable agriculture through its basic elements, in particular land resources, sustainable land management, and integrated pest management.

THE IMPACT OF TRANSITION AND STRUCTURE OF PROPERTY RIGHTS

Transition processes in the Croatian economy have had a direct impact on overall production conditions in agriculture. These changes are mostly reflected in the economic position of agricultural producers determined by price parities of agricultural inputs and outputs, by changes in distribution and agricultural land utilization, and by a system of state support to agriculture.

The effect of privatization and redefinition of property rights on natural resources

The basic foundation of Croatian agriculture is family farms, which in the ex-socialist system already hold more than 65 percent of agricultural land, and more than 90 percent of livestock. The privatization of production resources in agriculture began closely after attaining independence in 1991. Of more than 400 agricultural firms formerly "socially-owned", the great majority are now privatized and organized as private enterprises or joint stock companies. Former agricultural cooperatives also do business as privately owned commercial companies. A part of nationalized agricultural land has been given back to its former owners or, alternatively, they have received some form of compenzation. Most of the processing capacities are still owned by the state privatization fund, but they will be privatized in the future.

Restructurization in rural areas

Croatian legislation is positively oriented to stimulate enlarging the land property, and to encourage the "farmer type" of production. Out of more than 530 000 family farms dealing with agriculture as prevailing or additional activity, about 100-150 000 farms are expected to develop commercial production. The latter are expected to function as profitable systems on which state support measures would be implemented more efficiently. Rural areas, particularly mountainous and hilly regions, are additionally stimulated by the system of premiums and penalties, so as to develop agricultural activities with regard to the demands of domestic markets and comparative regional advantages.

Liberalization

The former planning system of agricultural production, in which family farms used to be only a kind of "service" for social-owned agricultural companies, was abandoned in the 1980s. During that time, the domestic prices of agricultural goods and inputs were set apart from the influences of the world market. Being based on the cost of production, the price system resulted in an inadequate regional allocation of agricultural resources and investment in agro-processing capacities.

After 1990, trade liberalization started in the whole economy including agriculture. The Croatian Government has prepared its agricultural reform policy with the aim of entering into the World Trade Organization. A basic characteristic of these preparations is a decrease in the level of agricultural protection. However, at the same time, the intention exists to preserve the balance in protection between domestic agricultural producers and processors.

The system of agricultural protection in Croatia is based on the system of protection prices. Direct price support is restricted to strategically important products, for which there exists a national interest in increased production. Producer prices of those products are supported by a combination of protection prices, production subsidies (premiums and reimbursements), and by import protection measures, such as tariffs and variable levies, while import quotas and special import taxes have recently been removed. There are no serious limitations on the export of Croatian agricultural products. Export licenses apply to only a few medicinal and drug-based plants and plant products, mainly in conformity with international obligations.

The development of the economic framework at farm level

The economic conditions for developing agricultural production within family farms are determined by the strategic goals of increasing the size of farms, and on the improvement of the economic situation of family farms. Changes in agricultural structure, the financing of rural areas and agriculture, the new orientation of trade and price policies, developing agricultural extension services, and the continual improvement of the social and economic position of agricultural households are fundamental determinants and priorities in the Strategy of Croatian agricultural development, adopted by the Croatian parliament in 1995.

Land market

Of approximately 3 million hectares of agricultural land in Croatia, almost 1.9 million hectares is arable land. Today, about 1.97 million hectares of agricultural, and about 1.51 million hectares of arable, land is privately owned by family farms. From the aspect of natural resources utilization, special attention has to be given to introducing into production nearly 260 000 hectares of abandoned land area. This relates to 100 000 hectares owned by family farms and about 160 000 hectares in possession of companies, which are ex-social firms. Since the agricultural reform of the past regime, until the beginning of the 1990s there was no significant agricultural land trade.

Table 1: Structure of agricultural, arable and cultivated land in Croatia in 1996

(thousand of hectares)

Source: Central Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Croatia, Reports in 1997

Agricultural land tenure (almost completely of arable land, and less of meadows and pastures) has been developed in the private sector. The average family farm size is about three hectares, and less than 3 000 farms have a size greater than 20 hectares of agricultural area²³. At the end of the 1980s, unfavourable economic conditions and gradual economic deterioration caused, in some regions, social-owned companies to rent arable areas to prosperous family farms. Consequently, in plain regions some family farms have cultivated more than 150 hectares of arable land over the years.

To fulfil those objectives concerning the enlargement of family farm size, the privatization of ex-social companies and the reclamation of abandoned land, the Government laid down incentive laws and regulations that enabled long-term renting and gave loans for the purchase of agricultural land. Tenders for land lease and purchase, with a period of lease and repayment of up to 20 years, are administered by regional governments. Likewise, soil-improvement measures (hydro-meliorative, technological) are also covered by the credit system. It is estimated that about 350 000 hectares is disposable for purchase and long-term land tenure, both from ex-social arable land and from land that elderly households left to the state during the last decade. The private sector has no common practice in agricultural land trade; households that are not engaged in intensive agricultural production prefer to rent their land.

The development of input and output prices

Input and output price relations in agriculture showed extreme instability during the period of high inflation from 1992-1994. The current price protection system significantly diminished this instability and disparity, but, due to the relatively high importation of agricultural products, the slow re-activation of business companies, and inadequately developed market institutions, certain distortions can still be found in the domestic market of agricultural products.

Table 2: Average producer prices of basic agricultural products in 1997 in US$/ton

Source: CBS, Reports 1997

Producer prices of basic cereals and industrial crops (oilseeds and sugar-beets) include a state subsidy. These prices are rather stable. Great seasonable variability can be seen in the prices of fruit and vegetables. Insufficient domestic production and inadequate storage and processing capacities are the reasons for significant imports of fruit and vegetables. Although the protection system of domestic production is applied, the prices of a great majority of fruit and vegetables are at the level of the nearest international market prices.

Input prices have been relatively stable during the past 3-4 years. Depending on the type and share of active substances, average prices of fertilizers are about
US$250-340 per tonne. The price of oil without government subsidy is about US$0.6 per liter, while for certain crop productions those prices are below US$0.5 per litre, due to state support measures. A similar situation is found in fertilizer prices, where purchase prices for producers are 20-30 percent lower. This is often the way of support to contractual production on family farms by business entities and cooperatives.

Table 3: Prices of basis inputs in agriculture in 1996 in US$/t

Source: According to Statistical documentation of the Central Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Croatia, Reports in 1997

Livestock production shows a rather stable purchase price for milk, that is about US$0.4 per litre, including the government subsidy. Prices of fattened animals have greater seasonal and annual fluctuations, due to unstable relationships on the domestic agricultural product market, as mentioned above. The basic reasons for these fluctuations are those unbalanced supplies that depends on the production of a large number of small-size family farms, as well as the great impact of price fluctuations in basic cereals used for livestock feed. Prices of beef and veal are about US$2.2-2.7/kg and US$3.0-3.3/kg, respectively. Prices of pigs for fattening are about US$2.2/kg, and those of fattened hogs are about US$2.3/kg.

The input and output price system in agriculture now provides a relatively favourable economic framework for the business of family farms with a high level of work productivity and satisfactory utilization of available resources. The great majority of family farms (almost 60 percent) have an area of less than 3 hectares, and their business is not economically efficient in agriculture. Nevertheless, such farms ensure the economic survival of the families farming them.

THE IMPACT OF AGRICULTURE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Environmental degradation caused by agriculture

The overall deterioration of the environment in Croatia has now reached a level that required organized activities, above all preventive ones, directed toward its protection and preservation. However, agricultural development in Croatia is not based on large-scale farms that could possibly be greater polluters of the environment. The concept of large-scale agricultural capacities within ex-social companies was already abandoned at the beginning of 1980s. Although there was no adequate attention paid to the problem of environment protection up until a decade ago, the soil, water and air in Croatia are among the best most preserved in Europe. Relatively low levels of aggressive substances used in family farm production, and a relatively smaller percentage in the ex-social sector that used more of the potentially harmful inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, fossil/solid fuels) and had larger livestock farms (harmful gases and waste), meant that agriculture had a significantly smaller role as a polluter.

Agriculture and soil protection

While Croatia has the most preserved soils in Europe, However the damage caused to the pedosphere has reached such a level that it needed to be investigation and activities organized for its protection, are needed. In agriculture there is, however, a relatively low level of production intensity which has little significance in soil pollution.

In Croatia, the Law on agricultural soil has been enacted, giving special emphasis to the protection of natural resource. Regulations on Croatian agricultural soil protection, agreed in collaboration with other Alpine and Alpine-Adriatic countries, determine the principal parameters of soil protection. Ten heavy metals, and PAH (Polycyclical Aromatic Hydrocarbons) of organic substances are marked as polluters. Limitations are duly determined for the maximum tolerated content in soil²⁴.

In the process of soil protection, Croatia has organized an inventory of damage processes, and has established a system of stations for the permanent monitoring of soil status. Additionally, there is a plan for organizing an adequate service of soil protection by providing a complete information system on soils. In Croatia, agricultural and forestland are under the competence of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, although treated separately. The role of the Ministry of Environmental Protection regarding the soil, is still unclear as it is possible to protect the environment without protecting the soil.

Plant and animal production

Regarding crop production in Croatia, about 7.2 thousand tonnes of pesticides (3.2 tonnes of active ingredients), and about 379 thousand tonnes of various fertilizers are used annually. Estimates are that the private sector in agriculture uses annually less than two tonnes of manure per hectare of arable land. Consumption of fossil fuel in agriculture is about 308 thousand tonnes. Considering the average consumption of about 3.9 kg of pesticides (1.7 kg of active ingredients) and 205 kg of fertilizers per hectare of arable land, Croatia is significantly below the average levels of those amounts in developed European countries. In agricultural companies and cooperatives, the consumption of fertilizers was about 304 kg/ha of arable land in 1997. Pesticide consumption in that sector is about 6.23 kg/ha. In family farms, the consumption of fertilizers is 173 kg/ha of arable land, while the pesticide consumption is 1.9 kg/ha, of which herbicides were one kg.

Table 4: Consumption of mineral fertilizers in tonnes

Source: CBS, Reports 1997

The consumption of pesticides has decreased during the last ten years. This situation is similar to the consumption of fertilizers on family farms which decreased in 1995 compared with 1991 (Tables 4 and 6). This is the result of unfavourable global economic conditions after the war (mainly a lack of money and unclear market conditions). Ecological reasons had no significant impact on this aspect of consumption in agriculture.

Table 5: Consumption of agricultural chemicals in 1996 in tonnes

* According to Census 1991

Source: CBS, Reports 1997

During this past three-year period, the improved economic situation has had a stimulating impact on input consumption. Estimations show that adequate technological usage of pesticides and fertilizers in intensive agricultural production is applied on only 20 percent of arable land in Croatia. Input consumption on the rest of that land is much more lower. Increased consumption is expected in the future, particularly because of the improving economic position of family farms, which ten years ago, used only a half of today's quantity of inputs.

Crop production in Croatia is expected to be more intensive in the near future, which means a higher level of potentially harmful substances. Special attention will thus need to be paid to strategically important crop production (cereals, oilseeds and other industrial crops), as well as to the production of some insufficient crops. This production will be organized as large-scale production and will be based on a greater use of fertilizers, pesticides and fuel.

Table 6: Consumption of fertilizers and agricultural chemicals on family farms in 1990

Source: Census 1991, Central Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Croatia

It is anticipated that pre-war consumption of fertilizers will not be reached until the year 2 000 (750 000 tonnes). Not until 2010 do we expect to reach the current average European level of 225 kg of consumption of active ingredients per hectare of arable land. From this aspect, a potentially greater risk exists for the environment because of poor technical equipment used by family farms and big losses in the usage of chemicals, which means their retention in the soil and in the air. There is a general intention to direct this increased consumption to the rational and purposeful consumption of ecologically acceptable substances. In achieving this goal, state support measures and professional help services are inevitable.

Table 7: Consumption of energy inputs in 1996

*According to Census 1991

Source: CBS, Reports 1997

Factors affecting productivity and sustainability on farm level

Current production levels of most of agricultural products in Croatia are insufficient, and the yields of some crops, especially in the family farm sector, are significantly below those technologically achievable. Naturally, one of the most important factors in a comparatively fast and considerable increase in yields in Croatian conventional agriculture is an increased quantity of applied fertilizers and pesticides. The enlargement of family farm production capacities is currently supported in Croatia, which likely implies a greater endangering of the environment by increased agricultural production. Intensive agricultural production within Croatian family farms is based on conventional production, and just a small number of these farms, mostly small-sized, choose to produce "ecologically". More than two thirds of family farms have a size less than three hectares, and most of their production is based on traditional production, technical far from modern technological standards. A basic limiting factor in fitting the concept of sustainable agriculture into domestic production is reflected in inadequate technical equipment and the low level of knowledge of agricultural producers when adopting new technologies and production methods. The general unwillingness of producers and agronomists to accept this concept arises from doubts about its ability to satisfy production-consumption balances in a country where the level of self-sufficiency has not yet been achieved. Besides, in planning the future development of sustainable agriculture, one economic reason is very important; namely, for efficient agricultural production under current economic circumstances and domestic production support system, conventional agriculture is much more acceptable regardless of the existence of one consumer segment in bigger consumer centres that has the interests in "ecological" quality goods, and is ready to pay higher prices for these products.

Agriculture and water protection

The results of scientific research work in Croatia point to low levels of contamination in both surface and ground waters. Agriculture has a particularly small impact on this contamination. Agricultural production is carried out in compliance with legal regulations covering water protection (Water classification statutes²⁵ and Statutes on dangerous substances in water²⁶). The potentially harmful impact on waters can be expected from ex-social, large-scale farms, but their market production is controlled by a legal system with an extremely high level of water protection. There are legal regulations determining the ways of disposing waste and agricultural by-products. Family farms reaching a level of production who's waste could be harmful for waters are also included in these regulations (as agricultural crafts or enterprises). When they sell their products on the market, they have to obey regulations determining the control of waste.

Plant and animal production

During the war the quantity of water for irrigation was considerably decreased. Surface irrigation, using natural watercourses, became the predominant method. According to 1997 data, about 1 786 hectares of arable land and gardens have been irrigated, as well as 256 hectares of orchards and 284 hectares of the rest of arable land.

Table 8: Water used for irrigation thousands m³

Source: CBS, Report 1997

Table 9: Irrigated areas in hectares

Source: CBS, Report 1998

Factors affecting productivity and sustainability on the farm level

According to legal regulations on water protection, agricultural production is encouraged to implement correct soil fertilization and the regular harmonizing of nitrogen and phosphorus, due to soil characteristics. Therefore, several professional agricultural support services are engaged in promotingthe goal of preserving water quality (both surface and ground). This is achieved by supporting the system of "permanent green" areas, and shortening the period of "grassless" (bleak) soil, thus reducing soil erosion caused by water. When building livestock and processing capacities in agriculture, all regulations regarding the preservation of surface and ground waters should be respected. The combination of all mentioned activities provides a positive contribution to environment protection on the principle of intensive agriculture combined with the preservation of water quality.

A lack of economic efficiency is a cause for the use of more simple irrigation systems, which in most cases irrationally use large quantities of water. Only in narrow Mediterranean areas and in eastern parts of the Panonian region, where there is a small deficit in water supply, for some sorts of fruit and vegetables it is economically justified to set up complex irrigation systems.

Agriculture and air protection

Measurements by the State Department for Meteorology show that 60 percent of SO₂ in the air comes from abroad (Western European countries), while 40 percent arises from "domestic" industrial sources. Agriculture contributes with high emission rates of methane, nitric monoxide and ammonia because of its nature and conventional way of production. Agriculture's share in total emissions of CH₄ is about 25 percent, in emission of N₂O it is 66 percent, and of NH₄ almost 70 percent.

Table 10: Air pollutant emission annually, in tonnes

* Non methane volatile organic compounds

Source: CBS, Report 1997

The impact of agriculture on the environment is reflected primarily in its impact on the soil and water, while effect on air pollution is negligible. However, the concentration of livestock, as well as intensive use of pesticides and fuel in conventional agricultural production contribute to air pollution, that is to acid rains and the destruction of the ozone layer. These negative consequences of conventional agriculture for air pollution could be diminished through organizing livestock farms of smaller size, and the professional use of agricultural chemicals. Statutes²⁷ also regulate the problem of the collection and usage of liquid manure, which annually reaches an amount of 40-60 m³/ha, depending on specific soil porosity. Besides, these statutes also determine the professional use of fertilizers and corresponding obligations of the Extension service, as well as ways of determining and measuring the level of air contamination.

Agriculture and its impact on the landscape

Intensive crop production characterized by reduced crop rotation and the intensive use of agrochemicals and heavy machines is a significant cause of soil damage. Further more, emissions by certain industries into environment cause air contamination and acid rains, more so than waste depositories and the use of fossil fuels in urban centres and in traffic.

The total amount of waste from agriculture is about 425 thousand tonnes. More than 80 percent of those substances are delivered to other economic activities to be either processed or harmlessly removed.

Table 11: Amount of waste removal in 1996 in tonnes

Source: Statistical documentation of the CBS, Reports 1997

Together with its contribution to pollution and the endangering of the environment, agriculture also takes part in investments and expenditures for the environment. The highest share it contributes in investments and expenditures is for the protection of surface waters and for the harmless elimination of waste.

Table 12: Fixed capital formation and expenditure for environmental protection in 1996, in thousands US$

Source: CBS, Reports 1997

Agriculture and biodiversity

It is well known that agriculture is one of more important reasons for decreasing biodiversity on Earth. There is no doubt that future agricultural activity will depend on genetic diversity and on the ability of experts to find and choose, from among various species and sorts, adequate types of plants and animals. These should be resistant to negative external influences, highly efficient in energy input use, and adaptable to changes in production technology and consumer demands. For the purpose of genetic resource protection, Croatia follows the recommendations of the World Congress of National Parks and Protected Areas (Caracas, 1993) which has defined the basic principles and determinants of biological resources protection.

In Croatia, the drainage system is applied to about 19.6 percent of arable land, and irrigation is carried out on only 0.29 percent of the total area. Considering such a small area, it is believed that agriculture has not affected biodiversity - the disappearance of swamp vegetation, wildlife (game) and ornithofauna. As in the past ten years, there was no agricultural production on most of the irrigated land (because of the war), and it thus seemed that the greatest part of that land had been "given back" to nature. It would be easy to reactivate that land, but in doing so relevant experiences from the developed world would have to be taken into account.

The most endangered areas from the aspect of biodiversity are the basins of the rivers Drava and Neretva in the northern and southern parts of Croatia respectively. This is because intensive agricultural production is concentrated in relatively small areas, so nitrate inflows are greater than in other parts of the state, and soil erosion is therefore increased. Environmental pollution due to intensive agriculture has caused some damage in biodiversity. The future could bring a greater impact of agriculture on biodiversity in rural areas, especially in mountainous regions, where intensive agricultural development is stimulated by agricultural policy measures. However, the current legislative framework strongly protects naitonal parks and game reserves, so it is expected that conventional agricultural production development will be excluded form these areas.

Effects of environmental degradation on agriculture

The protection and improvement of the air quality in Croatia is the first step in achieving the general goal of protecting human health, flora and fauna, cultural and material values. Top priority in this process is given to decreasing local air contamination. First, the problem of contamination by particles and sulphur dioxide has to be settled. Then, next on the priority list comes decreasing contamination from traffic and specific industrial plants. Currently, air quality in settlements is mostly in category I - clean or insignificantly contaminated (recommended values for air quality are not exceeded) and in category II - moderately contaminated air (recommended values are exceeded, but limits for air quality are not exceeded). The worst air quality, which means category III - over-contaminated air (air quality limits exceeded) - is in Zagreb, Rijeka, Split and Kutina. Bigger sources of emission are petroleum refineries, thermo-electric power plants, organic-chemical industry and cement works. From a total of 24 identified major sources within the INA²⁸, there is 8 such sources, 6 sources within the HEP²⁹, with the 5 remaining sources being in the .cement industry.

Resolving the problem of overall atmospheric (ozone) contamination needs to be coordinated with Croatian's role in the specific contamination of the stratosphere. The fulfilment of Croatian commitments according to the Montreal Protocol regarding this problem should not be a problem, considering that Croatia is only an importer, and not a producer, of substances harmful to the ozone. The total production of those substances in Croatia in 1995 was about 0.09 kg/capita, which was significantly lower than the 0.3 kg/capita consumption in developed countries. The State directorate for environment and nature protection authorizing the achievement of the Montreal Protocol in collaboration with the National programme body and with the professional and financial support of UNEP, in 1996 made the "National programme for the gradual removal of ozone-harmful stuffs".

With regard to emission of CO₂, its contribution to the "Greenhouse effect" and climate change exceeds some 55 percent. While it is not possible to decrease that emission, but, a 50 percent increase in relation to 1990 should be expected (5.1 tonnes/capita), which in fact would still be 20 percent less than the actual average level of emissions in Europe as a whole. Creating a policy of global climate protection, it is important to notice that in 1990 Croatia was within one third of those countries having the lowest level of emissions. After decreasing emission in the period 1990-1995 (24 million tonnes to 15.6 million tonnes), our situation has improved. Consequently, in Croatia there is no need for further rigid standards of emissions. For other greenhouse gasses (CH₄ and N₂O), it is technically possible to decrease them.

Erosion is a process whereby soil particles, due to the natural influences of water and wind, are separated from the soil mass and transported a certain distance. More than 90 percent of soils are subjected to varying intensities of erosion. Within 1.3 million hectares of Karst, erosion has already reached bedrock. The worst problem in this respect lies is in the central and coastal areas of the Istria region, due to an increased tendency of the soil to be eroded, with 100-200 tonnes of eroded material per hectare annually. A similar situation exists in the Neretva River delta, where greater amounts of soil particles come from neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina. For some time now, there has been a trend in Croatia toward decreasing areas of agricultural land due to its reassignment; namely, the pressure of both non-agricultural activities and urbanization, which in the period 1965-1987 resulted in the loss of 166 441 hectares of agricultural soils, or 7 235 hectares per year. Likewise, from the aspect of the utilization of agricultural land, great importance has to be put on mined agricultural areas. It is estimated that about 25 percent of deserted and uncultivated agricultural land in Croatia is totally or partly mined. Such areas, especially in rural regions, will be an integral part of agricultural land utilization problems in Croatia for a long time. This is because of the complexity of the mined areas, inadequate plans for their clearing, and a lack of technical and financial resources.

THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIETY ON THE AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENT

Institutional change within the environmental policy

The State Directorate for the Protection of Nature and the Environment is responsible for environmental protection and the protection of nature. It is responsible for creating regulations, administrative controls and other professional activities in the sphere of environmental protection. This means creating a general environmental policy toward providing a framework for sustainable development as follows:

• protection of air, soil, water, sea, flora and fauna in synergetic action;
  
  
• suggestions, promotion and monitoring the measures for environment protection improvement;
  
  
• providing the cadastre of polluters (monitoring);
  
  
• implementing the information system of environmental protection;
  
  
• determining measures and terms for environmental protection;
  
  
• managing waste;
  
  
• preparing propositions and standards for environmental protection;
  
  
• inspection activities for environmental protection;
  
  
• stimulating education and training for environmental protection;
  
  
• research, study, record-keeping, promotion and supporting the documentary evidence of the natural heritage;
  
  
• organizing the central service of information and documentation;
  
  
• identifying and evaluating the characteristics of protected areas;
  
  
• central record-keeping system of protected areas;
  
  
• prescribing rules for establishing the programme of public needs in the sphere of environment protection;
  
  
• care, coordination and control over financing the environmental protection programme;
  
  
• evaluation of the working conditions for legal entities and individuals in environment protection activities;
  
  
• providing conditions for the education and training of professionals in environmental protection activities;
  
  
• taking control over trade, import and export of protected areas;
  
  
• stipulating terms for the use and purposes of protected parts, and managing them according to the rules;
  
  
• strengthening the specific terms for building in achieving environmental protection and parts of natural heritage;
  
  
• fulfilment of the inspection and other activities of the environment protection domain, and of the State directorate responsibility.

Within the State Directorate for the Protection of Nature and the Environment there are 58 graduate employees. All over the country, there are county offices for regional planning, municipal services, architecture and environment protection. In such offices there are one or two employees dealing with problems of environmental protection; one is usually the environment protection inspector, and the other is an assistant. Qualitative cooperation of the national and local units, particularly in the sphere of inspection and control, is a prerequisite for the efficient fulfilment of environmental protection.

Environmental policy related to agriculture

Environmental protection relating to agriculture is defined primarily by legal regulations and statutes for the protection of national resources (soil, water and air), and by regulations for the usage of inputs harmful to the environment. This ecological approach is also represented in the legal procedures necessary for the construction and carrying out of agricultural production and the processing of agricultural products.

Legislative and institutional framework for a national agri-environmental policy

The Law on the protection of nature (NN 30/94 and 72/94) ensures the integral preservation of environmental quality and biodiversity. Among the established goals of environment protection, it prescribes the constant preservation of biodiversity originality and ecological balance. Based on this Law, about 7.5 percent of Croatian territory is now covered by its protection. Eight categories of space protection are determined: national parks, natural parks, strict and special wildlife refuges, outstanding natural features of nature, protected landscapes, park-forests and monuments of park architecture. This Law also protects some plant and animal species. While primarily so these are not only endangered or rare species in Croatia, but also those endangered on an international scale too. Thus we are obligated by international conventions to protect them. It is forbidden to kill, catch, hurt, capture, buy, sell, export or import these protected species, and it is also forbidden to cause damage to their habitats. All wild animals in national parks and wildlife refuges are protected, together with complete cave fauna.

The protection of animals that can be exploited economically is prescribed by numerous other laws too, such as the Law on hunting (NN 10/94, 22/94, 5/95, 25/96), the Law on fresh-water fishing (NN 34/89, 19/90, 26/93) and Law on sea fishing (NN 74/94, 57/96). The economic exploitation of other unprotected species is regulated by the issuing of licenses for their collection from their natural habitat, and these are issued by the state administrative body responsible for environmental protection. This refers mostly to snails and green frogs.

The great majority of native mammals are also protected, with the exemption of some "problematic" and hunted species. All nest birds and all kinds of European birds are protected as well, except fish-eaters and waders near fishponds and starlings near agricultural areas. In the case of reptiles, increasingly endangered by the recent "home pets" trade, all native species are protected, except the horned viper and the common adder, a amphibians are protected too, except for three kinds of green frogs. The protection of other species is faced with the problems of a lack of scientific data and poor information about domestic fauna.

Concerning plant species, only 44 are currently protected, but the preparation of regulations is under way for the protection of all species registered on Croatia's red list. The protection of habitats in areas exploited economically is improved by the fulfilment of certain directions for nature protection in agricultural, forestry, water-management, space planning and other services. With the Law on forests (NN 92/90, 76/93) the procedure has been established for forests and forestry land. A fixed payment for the utilization of general benefits from forests has to be paid which is prescribed by laws for all business entities in Croatia.

Regarding indigenous species of cultivated plants and domestic animals, measures for their protection are also required. The Law on financial support in agriculture and fisheries (NN 46/97) ensures specific help for breeding certain indigenous breeds (Istrian cattle, pigs from Turopolje and Slavonia, sheep, goats, turkeys).

Laws and directives on the use of inputs

Basic laws and directives on the use of inputs are as follows:

• The Law on plant protection (NN 10/94) - determines what substances can be used with a permit from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The permit is given based on a report from the CBS on the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of the substance, and according to the decision of the Ministry of Health about the acceptability of the toxins. Besides, the trade of plant protection substances is regulated by the Law on the trade of toxins, and by additional directives to both laws.
  
  
• The Law on seeds, seedlings and recongnized agricultural plants (NN 131/97) - arranges the production and trade of agricultural seeds, seedlings, the mycelium of edible and medicinal fungi (mushrooms) and recognized agricultural plants, as well as other questions in organizing a uniform system for the production of seeding material.
  
  
• Statutes on types of seeds that require to be treated before being put into circulation or used for their own reproduction
  
  
• Statutes on the protection of agricultural land from contamination with harmful substances (NN 15/92) - establish the methods of using mud from towns, compost and liquid manure, as different means for the improvement of agricultural soil. Maximum doses of harmful metals and organic substances in refuse, compost and liquid manure are determined, as well as the amounts of refuse, compost and manure that can be put into the soil (not more than 10 tonnes of dry matter per hectare annually). The maximum quantity of liquid manure applied to the soil is 60 m³/ha annually, and in the winter period (October - April) the quantity allowed is 30 m³/ha. It is forbidden to apply refuse from towns and the compost of the refuse and waste: in vineyards, in orchards and hop-gardens, on areas under berry-fruits and medical herbs, on light sand soils, in nature parks and other protected areas, on coastal and water protected areas, on Karst fields, on water-saturated soil and soil covered with snow, and on frozen agricultural soil. Liquid manure can not be put into agricultural soil saturated with water, under snow or frost, or into soil producing vegetables, berry-fruits and medical herbs 30 days before maturity and harvesting. According to these statutes, fertilizing has to be based on integrated plant production principles, characteristics of habitats, the level of nutritive substances in soil and the specific requirements of crops for these substances.

Laws and directives on the protection of natural resources in agriculture

The Main laws and regulations for the protection of natural resources in Croatia are the following:

• The Law on agricultural land (NN 54/94) - provides for the protection of agricultural land in case of change of its use and against harmful substances, it regulates necessary agricultural technology measures resulting from change of purpose, compensation for the disposal of state-owned land, payments for inspection and control services, fire protection measures, protecting crops from erosion, and credit use.
  
  
• Statutes on agricultural land protection from contamination with harmful substances (NN 15/92) - as mentioned above, this document determines the following: what substances are considered to be harmful to agricultural land, allowed doses of these substances in the soil, measures for the prevention and control of soil contamination aimed at keeping the soil safe from chemical and biological deterioration and favourable for the production of healthy food.
  
  
• The Law on waters (NN 107/95) - legal basis for water evaluation and management (water use, water protection, supervising water-courses and protection against harmful impact of water); it also explains the method of organizing and the fulfilment of, activities and tasks in the processes of water management, basic terms for the economic utilization of waters, the obligations and competence of the state administrative institutions and of local administrative units.
  
  
• The Directive on dangerous substances in waters (NN 78/98) - it explains the types and amounts of substances considered as dangerous for the water environment, according to the Law on waters. It particularly determines substances proved dangerous for both the water environment and for humans alike. This Directive also covers materials that have unacceptable influences on the water environment, or on the taste and smell of food products from waters.
  
  
• The Law on air protection (NN 48/95) - determines the measures and organization necessary for the fulfilment of air protection and air quality improvement, with the purpose of preserving human health, flora and fauna, and cultural and material values. The main objective is to reach the best air quality possible, and to prevent or at least to decrease, contamination that might be a cause of climatic changes.
  
  
• The Directive on recommended and marginal air quality values (NN 101/96) - provides the basis for air quality evaluation and the classification of areas into categories according to their level of air contamination.

National measures on the promotion of ecological sound agricultural practices

There are no special activities for the promotion of ecologically oriented agricultural practices. The Measures and activities of different civil associations (of producers or traders) have no specific legal framework at the state level. There are some government institutions oriented toward the promotional and executive activities of environmental protection. However, in the sphere of agriculture, only a few civil associations and individuals within scientific institutions are oriented to bio-dynamic and sustainable agricultural production, although still only in a limited way.

The importance of national environmental associations and organizations for environmental policy

Croatia has a long tradition in the functioning of non-government associations. It is estimated that there are currently between 150 and 200 non-government associations engaged in environment protection, of which one-third are in Zagreb. These associations operate mostly at a local level, having no permanently employed workers or office, and faced with the problem of recruiting members. Their financial situation is poor, lacking monetary means for the fulfilment of even the simplest tasks. Most of them have an annual budget of less than US$6 000.

The "Green face" of civil society organizations

For the last few years in Croatia there has been an active civil movement for "healthy life", the production of "healthy food", biodynamic management, and the like. It is estimated that there are about 30 active, registered civil associations, which in their statutes contain some form of sustainable agriculture concept.

The importance of private and non-profit organizations

During the period 1992-1996, a number of international institutions have financed projects, programmes and various other activities related to environment protection, either with or without repayment. The number of grants has increased since 1992, with the highest level being reached in 1995. Such a tendency is characteristic of state institutions, institutes and faculties, while for non-government associations this trend continued until 1996. The Republic of Croatia is also involved in the 1992-1996 Regional Programme for the Protection of the Environment in the Danube River Basin, partly financed by GEF, with a total amount of US$12 690 000. A Phare programme also finances the Programme, but this source is still unavailable for Croatia. Additionally, environmental protection is financed by loans from the World Bank, and by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Besides the projects directly relating to environmental protection, these loans are directed to support Croatian economy and agriculture as a whole, from the aspect of sustainable development.

CONCLUSIONS

The growth of production is the main strategic objective of Croatian agriculture. This should be achieved by a quality re-assessment of production resources on family farms as the basic support of agriculture. In the near future, the greater enlargement of farm size is expected, as well as an improvement in technical equipment and the implementation of modern production technology on a greater number of commercial farms. Anticipated technological progress in agriculture implies a potential danger for the environment, and special attention needs to be applied to this in the future.

Traditional methods of production, together with the unfavourable economic situation of family farms owning the great majority of production resources in agriculture, have caused a decrease in the use of inputs that could be harmful to the environment. As a result of the limited release of contaminating materials from agriculture into the soil, water and air, Croatia is an insignificant polluter in comparison with the majority of European countries. Unfortunately, most emissions of harmful material are "imported" into Croatia from neighbouring developed countries.

Global agriculture has to be oriented toward "ecologically" conscious production, and thus must be stimulated by legislation together with scientific research and the support of professional services. Sustainable land management, integrated pest management, and plant nutrition systems are the basic elements of a sustainable agriculture concept, and represent a radical change and a new way of thinking with regard to existing production. Such a change will require greater professional knowledge and an increase in producers' skills so that a professional service will be qualified to provide assistance. "Fundamentals" and basic principles of sustainable land management, as defined by the FAO - productivity, stability of yields, natural resources protection, economic efficiency and social acceptability - are acceptable and usable in Croatia. The basic purpose of research work is national resources protection, and soil protection in particular. This research includes identifying and permanently monitoring the type and intensity of damage, as well as organizing a reliable and contemporary information soil system. Only scientific research, based on exact quantitative data, can give reliable solutions to numerous problems involved in the future management of agriculture.

In order to protect the soil, as a basic national resource, it is necessary to establish a system of collecting detailed information about soil conditions, and the influences of natural factors and human activities on the soil, as well as about damaging processes and soil contamination. That is why the State Directorate for the Protection of Nature and the Environment has begun the organization of a data base of habitats of the Republic of Croatia, which is the basic prerequisite condition for completing the scientific soil inventory - the Elementary Pedology Map of the Republic of Croatia. Together with a manual about pedology in environment protection, it creates the basis for scientifically-based planning and decision making in the sustainable land management process.

REFERENCES

Bai, F. & Hrlec, G. 1991. Organische Problemstoffe in den Ackerb�den, Kroatiens, Experttagung der gemeinsamen Arbeitsgruppe Bodenschutz ARGE Alpen, Alpen-Adria und Donaul�nder, Szombathely, 17-18 Oktober 1991., Sonderdruck Bayerisches Staatsministerium f�r Landesentwicklung und Umweltfr. 32-47, M�nchen.

Bai, F., Butorac, A., Vidaek, ., Racz, Z., Ostoji, Z. & Berti, B. 1993. Programme zatite tala Hrvatske - Inventarizacija stanja - Trajno motrenje - Informacijski sustav, studija, Fond strune dokumentacije Zavoda za OPB Agronomskog fakulteta, 122, Zagreb.

Bai, F., Mesi, M., Kisi, I., Jelavi, V., Pravdi, V., Steinbauer, M. & Villi, M. 1993. Danube Integrated Environmental Study, Draft final report, phase I. for the Republic of Croatia, Urbanistiki institut Hrvatske, Hasskoning, Royal Dutch Consulting Engineers and Architects, p. 37., Zagreb.

Bai. F., Grgi Z. & Vinja Jeli-M�ck 1995. "Environmental Analysis" Private farm support services project, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Zagreb.

Kisi, I., Bai, F., Butorac, A. & Mesi, M. 1998. Soil erosion in different tillage systems on stagnosol in Croatia. 16^th World Congress of Soil Science, Proceedings - CD, p. 7, Montpellier.

23 Estimation made in 1998, after the process of private purchase of the state land.

24 "Narodne novine", 15/92 - official paper of the Republic of Croatia

25 Narodne novine, 77/98

26 Narodne novine, 78/98

27 Narodne novine, 101/96, 78/98.

28 INA (Industrija nafte) - oil industry

29 HEP (Hrvatska elektroprivreda) - Croatian electricity