Title: Using focus groups for evaluation of the CAP Accompanying Measures

Authors: Boie S. Frederiksen, Anna H. Johannessen

Addresses: Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, The Directorate for Food, Fisheries and Agro Business, Kampmansgade 3, DK-1780 Kobenhavn V., Denmark. Ministry of the Environment, Myntgaten 2, Postboks 8013 Dep, N-0030 Oslo, Norway

Abstract: The paper presents a study of how farmers perceive the Danish programme implementing the EU Directive 2078/92 (part of the CAP Accompanying Measures) concerning improvements in connection with agricultural practices and environment. Focus groups were used as a qualitative method for eliciting farmers| own experiences and views on the measures of this programme. The results indicate that a greater emphasis is needed on methods and content of information. A stronger focus on payment and priorities in relation to environmental effects, and the communication of the environmental significance of these measures, should give better results from the programme. The results from this small-scale study are compared to results from a large-scale questionnaire study of the same programme, to exemplify the usefulness of focus group studies in the decision making process. The purpose of the paper is thus two-fold: to present the results from the focus group study, and to evaluate the more qualitative approach of focus group techniques in connection with the studies of agri-environmental regulations.

Keywords: EU directive 2078/92; agri-environmental measures; focus groups; farmers| decision making; qualitative interview methods.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2001.000744

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2001 Vol.1 No.1/2, pp.127-139

Published online: 17 Jul 2003 *

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