Input output accounting systems in the European community—an appraisal of their usefulness in raising awareness of environmental problems

Abstract

Input Output Accounting systems (IOAs) can be used to identify farming practices which are not 'environmentally neutral' and thus unlikely to be sustainable in the long term. In an EU sponsored project, European countries were surveyed and over 50 farm level IOAs identified. The subjects covered by the IOAs included nutrients, pesticides, energy, soil/habitat, conservation, wastes (e.g. packaging and tyres) and other items such as veterinary products. Nearly half the IOAs covered more than one subject and nutrient budgets were the most commonly included (91% of the IOAs studied). Looking at the 30 single subject systems, most (26) were nutrients with only three pesticide and one energy based system. In total 50 systems covered nutrients. Overall, where specified, nutrient budgets covered nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in 13 cases, N and P in 12 cases, N only in nine and P only in four cases. The most common indicators for nutrient budgets were calculation of a balance followed by nitrate leached. The method by which indicators were evaluated and presented to farmers varied. Farming sectors were not equally represented with systems for the arable, dairy and pig sectors the most common. Farmers received a detailed interpretation of their results in two thirds of the systems, most commonly related to official limits or targets. Most of the systems were developed to reduce adverse environmental impacts and 65% of the systems were considered by the respondents to have had a positive environmental impact by reducing surpluses or improving waste disposal. Use of five of the systems could lead to a marketing advantage via certified produce with a recognised quality label. Where factual evidence as to effectiveness was available, the benefits varied between subject types (nutrients, energy and pesticides) and between sectors. Farmers' responses to the systems were generally positive and they appear to be a useful way of raising awareness of environmental problems. However, economic issues need to be considered, if the costs to the farmer outweigh the benefits, uptake will not be sustained. The type and nature of the interpretation is also important as the most successful IOAs in terms of continued use and interest appeared to be those where there was regular technical input from an adviser. Overall IOAs could offer a useful tool for voluntary improvement in agri-environmental performance on topics that are not already strongly regulated. But more studies are needed to ensure that farmers in reality change their behaviour and to develop the use of reference values. #

Farm-scale nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur balances and use efficiencies on Australian dairy farms

“…Previous studies have considered N balances and efficiencies more commonly than other nutrients (Goodlass et al 2003;Halberg et al 2005). This is because of the greater magnitude of N flows and surpluses at the farm scale, the lack of reliable soil N tests and the recognition of measured surplus as a quantifiable loss to the broader environment (Oenema et al 2009;Jarvis et al 2011).…”

“…Nutrient balances have been widely adopted in the EU (Goodlass et al 2003) and USA (Koelsch 2005), and more recently, has become a compulsory requirement to supply milk in New Zealand (Sneath and Furness 2006). Although there are currently fewer pressures or incentives within Australia to determine nutrient balances, and their use is low when compared with EU, the USA or New Zealand, there is growing interest from catchment management authorities and dairy companies, as a nutrient balance is viewed as a useful tool in helping to achieve voluntary environmental nutrient management standards.…”

Involvement: a novel approach for understanding responses to nutrient budgeting

“…A study by Goodlass et al (2003) identified over 45 nutrient budgeting tools currently in use in Europe. They concluded that most of the nutrient budgeting tools and documentation available did not provide assistance with interpreting outputs or changes to farm management.…”

Developing the EU Farm Accountancy Data Network to derive indicators around the sustainable use of nitrogen and phosphorus at farm level

“…Nutrient balances and use efficiencies could be used as key agronomic efficiency and environmental performance benchmarks to rate the performance of a farm and used as targets to encourage improvement in nutrient management (Goodlass et al 2003).…”