Subsidy Scheme for Area-Based Policy, 2002
The provincial authorities have designated 78 areas which qualify for national subsidies under the Subsidy Scheme for Area-Based Policy (SGB). They are areas where there are linked, multiple problems in the areas of agriculture, nature, landscape, recreation, cultural history, water and the environment.
78 SGB areas designated
Under the covenant for the area-based structuring of the rural area 2002-2004, provincial authorities have designated 78 areas: the "SGB areas" (Schotten et al., 2003). SGB is the official abbreviation for "Scheme for the subsidising of area-based policy and the restructuring of concentrated livestock farming areas", in short the Subsidy Scheme for Area-Based Policy. The scheme (LNV, VROM en VenW, 2001) defines the areas as the areas that "are vulnerable from the point of view of agriculture, nature, forest, landscape, open-air recreation, cultural history, water and the environment and where there are linked and multiple problems in those policy areas for which integral solutions are needed, taking into account relevant national policy".
Explanatory note on Subsidy Scheme for Area-Based Policy
The SGB scheme has been in place since 2001. The first orders under this scheme were published in late 2002. It is an instrument that allows for the integral implementation of projects for improving the quality of rural areas. The following aims have been formulated for the various ways rural areas are used:
- For the vulnerable functions of nature and the abstraction of drinking water: combating desiccation and reducing environmental pressure generated by eutrophying and acidifying substances and pesticides.
- For the recreation function, the aims are the reduction of disturbance from noise, odours and light.
- Objectives have also been formulated for the vulnerable functions of forest and landscape, and agriculture.
The SGB scheme replaces a number of old schemes, such as the GeBeVe scheme (anti-desiccation), Valuable cultural landscapes (WCL), the SGM scheme (Subsidy scheme for environmental policy on specific geographical areas) and the ROM areas scheme (combining planning and environmental factors). The scheme also includes the 'Reconstructiegebieden', areas where changes will be made to the zones designated for certain activities (particularly livestock farming). The ultimate aim is to integrate more schemes covering rural areas in the SGB. Furthermore, there are plans for transferring the SGB scheme in 2005 to the Investeringsbudget Landelijk Gebied (Rural Areas Investment Budget - ILG).
Link between SGB areas and Environment Protection Areas
In 2002, approximately 1 million hectares of the Netherlands were designated as environment protection areas. Environment protection areas are areas where the quality of one or more environmental aspects requires special protection.
There is no direct link between SGB areas and Environment protection areas. The Environmental Management Act contains regulations indicating what is allowed and forbidden in environment protection areas. Subsidies are available for SGB areas for projects aimed at dealing with problems.
Problems in environment protection areas can sometimes also be solved via specific projects. If an environment protection area is also a designated SGB area, the costs can be covered in part through the SGB scheme.
