Regional impacts of climate change, observations and projections. Finnish Pilot study: North Savo region

Abstract

• Regional adjustment of regulation is important (eg. water protection) 
  • Due to expected growing yield potential fertilisation restrictions need adjustment
  • Nitrate directive restricts efficient and sustainable grass production
  • Greening practices have only slight – and partly negative  - impact on ruminant production (permanent grassland not suitable for northern conditions)
• Inefficient markets for agricultural land cause difficulties for farms that are increasing their production
  • Capitalisation of area payments to land prices + incentives for extensification (e.g. nature management and other set aside schemes under pillar 2) fit better part-time crop farms, not full-time livestock farms
  • they express frustration on weak land supply
• Production based support for suckler cows and (dairy originated) beef production is vital for producers
  • No significant increase in production expected, budgetary limits of coupled supports