Various Eurosite members expressed the need for a place to exchange knowledge and experience on biodiversity conservation in relation to agriculture. Therefore, at its most recent Board meeting, the Eurosite Board agreed with establishing such a working group, because biodiversity on farmland and nature-inclusive agricultural business models are becoming more and more relevant topics in the conservation field.

We are happy to announce that the very experienced Anton Gazenbeek volunteered to be the chairperson of the group. Anton is a former Policy Officer in the Secretariat of a European Parliament cross-party intergroup, assisting Members with their policy work on EU agriculture and fisheries policy, biotechnology and GMOs, trade in wildlife products (CITES), hunting and trapping, animal welfare and veterinary matters. From 1992 to 2005, he was director of a technical assistance office contracted by the European Commission to assist it with the management of the ACE-Biotopes, ACNAT and LIFE-Nature funding programmes and the implementation of the EU’s Natura 2000 Network of protected areas. The funding programmes supported projects on habitat and species conservation, sustainable land use (farming and forestry) and river restoration. Anton is also a founding Steering Committee member of the International Land Conservation Network.

For any inquiries regarding the Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation Working Group, please contact info@eurosite.org