Barbara Knowles, who organises the Hay Making festival in Transylvania has just sent me details of these two events taking place in Brussels looking at the issue of supporting Europe’s hay meadow.
Europe’s hay meadows in decline – what are we losing and what can we do?
A test case for EU agriculture and biodiversity policy
You are cordially invited to this policy seminar in the European Parliament
Time: Thursday 8 November 09:30 to 11:00 AM
Place: European Parliament, Brussels
Summary: Traditionally managed hay meadows full of flowers, insects and other animal life are among the most biodiverse places in Europe and a source of joy, inspiration and beauty to everybody. They are a living part of our shared culture and heritage. They provide many environmental, social and economic benefits. They are protected by EU policy and subsidies. Yet they continue to disappear, through abandonment, intensification or conversion to other uses. This policy seminar will discuss how European institutions can protect these treasures and support the farmers who manage them more effectively.
With a video message from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales
RSVP: Please send your name and organisation to Richard Kovács richard.kovacs@europarl.europa.eu by 1 November. If you need a badge for entry to the Parliament, you must send your full name, date of birth and nationality, ID type (eg passport, ID card, driving license), number of that ID, postal address (as in the ID) and bring the ID with you.
Organizers and Sponsors: Pogány-havas Association (RO), European Forum on Nature Conservation and Pastoralismwith support from the European Commission (DG Env), SÓGOR Csaba, MEP, Society of Biology (UK).
Mountain hay meadows: hotspots of biodiversity and traditional culture
Time: Tuesday November 6 (from 13:00 to 15:00)
Venue: Brussels, DG Agri, LOI 130 – 11th floor room A
Title: Mountain hay meadows: hotspots of biodiversity and traditional culture
A one-hour film to be followed by a Q&A session with the speakers and a discussion among participants
Speakers: Gergely RODICS and Laszlo DEMETER of the Pogány-havas Association (RO).
Summary: Traditional hay meadow management in Transylvania created and maintains outstanding biodiversity and landscape, provides healthy food and sustains rural economies and communities. In this seminar we present and discuss our award-winning film which documents a disappearing lifestyle and describes the contradictions and challenges in European policies aimed at protecting these threatened habitats and the small scale farmers who manage them.
Copies of the film are available in English and Hungarian.
Contact: Barbara Knowles barbara.knowles@yahoo.co.uk – places limited
More about the project at www.mountainhaymeadows.euX
