Fundaţia ADEPT Transilvania

Protecting Romania’s unique high-biodiversity landscapes and the small-scale farming communities

that have created them

The importance of HNV landscapesPublic goods they provide have a very high economic value

The European context

These important landscapes are classed as High Nature Value (HNV): they can deliver important economic vitality for farming communities, as well as broad ecosystem services.

ADEPT is working with other organisations in UK, France, Spain, Italy, Bulgaria and Poland in order to design the best support measures possible and lobby for them at national and European levels.

ADEPT’s integrated programme

Promoting nature-friendly farm management with local involvement and local benefit

Study habitats / species / landscape, and design measures to conserve

prosperity and biodiversity

marketing, adding value to local

products linked to biodiversity brand

Diversifying, including agro-tourism linked to

sales of local products

Festivals, schools classes

and activities

Policy and information

Publicity

Agri-environment grants and other CAP measures

Developing commercial viability

Agri-environment support alone will not help small-scale farming communities to survive.

Important to promote farm income through improved PRODUCTION and MARKETING

Clarifying EU regulations which can otherwise damage small-scale farmer viability

Clarification so that authorities have the confidence to apply flexible approach to small-scale producers

• Booklet with clear information for farmers, producers and for food inspectors

• Now used by hygiene authorities as a standard document in Romania.

EU Commission wishes to replicate.

better links between hygiene authorities and small-scale producers. Small-scale producers can continue to operate under more flexible approach from hygiene inspectors.

Processing unit developed using minimum conditions for small-scale

producers

Village processing units authorized at minimum standards are already being replicated in other areas.

Full design plans for the model food unit will be published in a manual for free distribution to other interested communities.

Replication of village processing units, authorised at minimum level and so sympathetic to small producers

Traditional land management

High value products linked to brand image - cheese, meat,

honey, jams, tourism, crafts

Marketing: adding value to local products with biodiversity / quality assurance brand

EU local and direct sales

Farmers markets for local products1

Local products such as cheese, dried/smoked meats, fruits/nuts, traditional bread, jams/honey

Successful markets in 3 cities Markets sales rose to over €70.000 in 2010 Info-centre sales about €2.000/month in 2010 and 2011 70 producers directly benefiting

Leading the development of Slow Food movement in Romania

The Commission supports sustainable agriculture that is sensitive to landscapes, wildlife, and responsible food production

which in turn affect the quality of the food we eat, the quality of the natural landscapes that give us clean water and clean air, and wonderful places for recreation and a haven for wildlife

Know your food, know where it comes

from

Influencing EU policy.

Consultations by Commission and is contributions to policy:

CAP 2014-2020:• small farmer package in CAP post-2013, in which small

farmers get higher support

• natural features eligibility to be changed post 2014 so that more land becomes eligible

• Local partnerships are supported through co-operation measure

Quality package

• Quality package: Commission seeks feedback from European NGOs

Quality Package Guaranteeing quality to consumers and a fair price for farmers

Adopted by Commission in late 2010, legislative proposals

probably in 2012

Under the Quality Package, Commission has proposed a new

scheme, THE LOCAL FARMING AND DIRECT SALES

SCHEME, with the EU-wide label “Product from my Farm”

AIM: assist small-scale producers to market their products and to

communicate the value-adding attributes of the product to consumers, so

helping the rural economy.

The label must be easy for small farmers to access, and must convey a

message to the consumer at the same time. Easier access is made, the

less clear the message. There are many areas we must decide where to

draw the line. There are number of key problems………..

Product from my Farm - questions

How should "product from my farm" be defined?

– Should only small farmers/producers be eligible? If so, how should we define a small farm?

– Should there be limits to the use of bought-in ingredients or animal feed/feed (feed for cattle sugar for jam,) etc.

– If made on farm, does it matter if production facilities are traditional, or modern processing unit?

– If processed off farm, such as olive oil, does it still qualify? If so, should there be some criteria such as limited distance from farm to processing facility?

 

• How should "product from my farm" be marketed?– Do the number of intermediaries be limited? At least

one intermediary must be acceptable, to allow farm shops to act for a number of producers in a locality, and to allow sale in shops/restaurants in the region.

– Should the distance from farm to point of sale be limited (say, must be sold within 100 km of the farm)/ If so, distance selling by internet should still be allowed.

 

• Should the scheme be compulsory across the EU, as agri-environment is now?

Product from my Farm - questions

Thank you for your attention!

Fundatia ADEPT Transylvaniawww.fundatia-adept.org