T R A N SIT IO N IN G T O W A R D S A G R O E C O L O G Y · 2015-02-17 · Introduction i Rom ania...

TRANSITIONINGTOWARDSAGROECOLOGYUsing the CAP to buildnew food systems

In association with

Introduction i

RomaniaAttila Szocs Eco RuralisSaving traditional seeds for future generations to grow and share 0 2

GreecePavlos Georgiadis CalypsoHarvesting the fruits of a 1200 year tradition with a real future 04

ItalyMarta Messa Slow Food EuropePear trees and cereals a traditional Italian pairing in the Sinni valley 06

United KingdomPeter Crosskey ARC2020Rebuilding Manchesterrsquos local food economy from the ground up 08

IrelandOliver Moore ARC2020Sharing knowledge and experience in Leitrimrsquos Organic Farmersrsquo Coop 10

PolandDorota Metera Green InstituteAdding value to organic fruit and vegetables in the Carpathians 12

FranceSamuel Feacuteret ARC2020A landscape with livestock needs local abattoirs to survive intact 14

Baltic regionStephen Meredith Effimia Chatzinikolaou IFOAM EU GroupThe Baltic Ecological Recycling Agriculture and Society initiative 16

GermanyUli Jasper AbLGrassland protection and building Ecological Focus Areas in Germany 18

FranceStephen Meredith Effimia Chatzinikolaou IFOAM EU GroupFlowering meadows are a continuous food source for pollinators 20

More about the CAP 22

Transitioning the CAP towards more agroecological approaches 23

Further reading and glossary 24

CONTENTS

Published byARC2020co Zukunfstiftung LandwirtschaftMarienstrasse 19-2010117 BerlinGermanyt +49 30 284 82 326e contactarc2020euw wwwarc2020eu

Friends of the Earth EuropeMundo-b buildingRue d-Edimbourg 261050 BrusselsBelgium

In association withIFOAM EU GroupRue du Commerce 1241000 BrusselsBelgiumt +32 2 280 1223e infoifoam-euorg

Compiled and edited bySamuel Feacuteret Oliver Moore

Editorial committeeStanka Becheva Samuel FeacuteretBenedikt Haerlin Hannes LorenzenStephen Meredith Oliver MooreAndrzej Nowakowski

Photo creditsAttila Szocs Calypso Giuseppe CuccoManchester Veg People LOFCDorota Metera Fotolia USGSNASALandsat 7 MH Jean-Marie Henry(PNR du Ballon des Vosges) VincentRuin (Chambre dAgriculture Savoie-Mont Blanc) Wikimedia

ProductionHand-drawn graphics Eimear McNallyLayout Peter CrosskeyPrinted by Imprimerie Le Galliard5 Mail de Bourgchevreuil35510 Cesson-Sevigneacute FranceImprimrsquovert-registered printerFebruary 2015


In Europe the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is the key legislative frameworkinfluencing the production sale and processing of agricultural products The CAPhas driven major decisions on the direction of agriculture in Europe and the spending ofconsiderable amounts of EU public funds ndash today it takes up around 40 of the total EU budgetResponsible for our food our rural communities our countryside our health our environmentand our farmers the CAP affects everyone

It is widely acknowledged that the CAP has encouraged a model of agriculture that damagesthe environment ndash contributing to climate change biodiversity loss soil erosion and waterpollution ndash and has promoted factory-style farming at the expense of viable incomes for farmersand jobs in rural areas A strong commodity-orientated production has increased imports ofcheap rawmaterials produced in socially and environmentally damagingways and cheap exportsto the global south which means that the CAPs impact is felt much further afield than in theEU alone Yet despite reforms over past decades so far the CAP has not gone far enough tosupport or stimulate food sovereignty and agroecological approaches

This needs to change urgently and it requires better CAP implementation across the EuropeanUnion

The new CAP can help transition EU agriculture towards agroecological approaches Any pushto scrap this by promoting and incentivising factory-style agriculture based on models ofsustainable intensification or by simplifying the system at the expense of agroecologicaloutcomes would be a step backwards and cannot justify CAP funding Public money must bespent for public goods

There is a need to re-connect farmers and consumers to help build vibrant local food economiesThe aimof all governments should be to support sustainable producers processors and retailersand build strong local and regional inks between consumers farmers and food businesses RuralDevelopment Programmes need to be fully utilised to support the sustainable development ofrural areas and the environment with dedicated funding allocated to these practices on aprogressive basis to 2020 This means ensuring a strong and stable support environment forhigh quality food production based on sustainable systems and practices such as organic farmingand other environmentally-friendly farming practices with strong support for agroecologicalknowledge transfer advice cooperation and innovation Consumers should be able to purchaseecologically-produced food from local and regional producers Therefore the creation of shortdecentralised supply chains diversified markets based on solidarity and fair prices community-led initiatives and closer links between producers and consumers locally and regionally must beprioritised

This publication aims to showcase successful examples from a diverse range of EU countrieswhere a transition towards agroecological approaches is already happening It gives clearindications for the priorities governments should have if they are serious about making gooduse of public money to support this transition

These cases are only a few from the many diverse approaches and practices already happeningacross the EU Over the coming years civil society groups will continue to observe the CAPimplementation and development by collecting further best practice examples but also byhighlighting failures of agro-industrial models to actively support a successful transformation

Samuel Feacuteret

ARC2020

Introduction

i

2

Saving traditional seeds for futuregenerations to grow and shareA significant number of traditional seed varietiesare still being used in Romania but the extent towhich they are being propagated has declinedDespite this public demand for traditional seed diversity andhealthier food has increased in recent years Alternative foodnetworks seed exchanges and garden projects are working topreserve this precious heritage while also trying to meetproducer and consumer needs

Eco Ruralis is a membership-based organization that supportsagroecology and peasant farming in Romania Since 2009 itsAgro-Biodiversity Campaign has worked with peasantmembers to establish a network of 15 ldquoseed guardiansrdquo thatare responsible for propagating specific varieties of traditionalseeds In addition the Suceava National Gene Bank providedseeds and knowledge about how to code and preserve them

Over the past four years the University of AgriculturalSciences in Cluj-Napoca (USAMV) has given Eco Ruralis smallplots of land to build seed multiplication gardens whereworkshops on seed saving take place Almost 5000 packs offree seeds have been given to 2000 food producers aroundthe country through annual distributions and regionalexchanges in the past five years

USAMV professors make observations of seed saving plantswith students and Eco Ruralis staff to create a yearly catalog

that expresses the benefits of traditional seeds to the publicIt also serves as a guide to choose varieties from the annualdistribution list

Heterogenous seeds carry important traits of climaticadaptability and can be multiplied every year unlike hybrid orgenetically-modified seeds By offering free traditional seedsEco Ruralis enables food producers to grow healthy organicfood for themselves and others This decreases the publicsdependence on an industrial food system that demands theuse of harmful pesticides and herbicides which diminish livingecosystems and food quality

Soon Eco Ruralis will start a new partnership with the USAMVGene Bank to store and study its seeds Next year the seedguardian program will expand and a new community gardenthat focuses on seed saving will be built The organization alsoplans to exponentially spread seeds to many more foodproducers and increase public awareness by collaborating withtwo national organizations whom work on seed propagationCRIES and Seminte Libere

The newCommon Agricultural Policys second pillar offers thepossibility to develop activities related to agrobiodiversityconservation and propagation using specific measures of theNational Rural Development Plan Measure 4 with a budgetof EUR 6 million could be used for facilitating knowledgetransfer on traditional seeds and undertaking publicinformation activities regarding agroecological growingmethods while Measure 6 with EUR 849 million allocationis totally dedicated to agroecology and climate Measure 7broadly supports work on organic agriculture

Seed savers mark up planting modules with labels as they workPhoto Attila Szocs

Cropping diversity spreads the risk of total crop failures across awider range of plant traits and characteristics Photo Attila Szocs

ROMANIA

3

Efforts to conserve agricultural biodiversity must take intoaccount the knowledge of peasants Sharing traditional seedscreates dynamic communication channels between foodproducers that increase cooperation Connecting consumersand producers that support agroecology is the only way todevelop a truly sustainable food model

By bringing a range of participants together to really developtraditional seed varieties across Romania Eco Ruralis showshow an agroecological community of practice can functionEurope needs a lot more of this kind of activity to improve itsagri-food policies

The University of Agricultural Sciences in Cluj-Napoca (USAMV) has helped Eco Ruralis with small plots of land for seed multiplicationPhoto Attila Szocs

bull 5000 packs of traditional seeds have beendistributed bull Regional events and seeddistributions have reached 2000 foodproducers bull 15 Seed savers associations carefor specific varieties bull Plans in hand to recruitmore Seed Guardians and roll out thepropagation of traditional varieties

Eco Ruralis Agro-Biodiversity Campaignwwwecoruralisro

KEY FACTS

CONTACT

4

Calypso started as a Greek family farming start-up in 2011 The company aimed to add value toan ancient family olive grove in the small villageof Makri in Thrace Greece The founders aimed bothto produce quality authentic Greek products and create amodel for other producers in the region to follow Usingtraditional harvesting methods the family has been applyingfor four generations they cultivate 1200 old trees and arethe regions first organic certified producers

Calypso is now a branded Single Varietal Extra Virgin Olive Oilfrom the indigenous olive variety Makri The oil is marketeddirectly to local consumers and restaurants as well as toselected communities in Germany and the Czech Republic Acommitment to specific methods and standards across the

whole chain from cultivation to extraction storage andpackaging has allowed this olive oil to be branded as a qualityproduct achieving good returns for the producers Theproducers interact directly with consumers to share theirstory and educate the market through tastings and farm visitsOther products include traditionally cured olives and a seriesof olive oil soaps to maximise the product range

The family business is managed by young people completelycommitted to the cultivation of the olive grove They combinea business focus including innovative use of social media witha deep understanding of the traditions of local olive cultureBeing dedicated to the continuous development andimprovement of the taste quality of their products they areconstantly updated on latest culinary trends and technologiesaround the world of olive oil

Local authorities are currentlyworking on the inclusion of theolive variety of Makri into thePDO system Additionally thevariety has recently enteredthe international Ark of Tasteof Slow Food Already certifiedorganic the producers arecurrently in discussions withother local producersinterested in converting toorganic Unfortunately theregion falls outside theLEADER area Theentrepreneurial success ofCalypso is both inspiring andspearheading the creation of acluster of producers This will help reduce production costsincreasing yields and increase the land area managed undersustainable land use practices in the region

In Calypso the olive grove is treated as a living ecosystemthrough the application of sustainable methods ofautonomous management following an approach that is inharmony with the rhythms of nature Conservation of localbiodiversity is the farmersrsquo strongest incentive which isexpressed by the large number of herbs and tree speciesincluding almond plum and apricot trees in some fields as wellas local vegetable varieties growing under the olive trees Theyproduce an olive oil that comes from carefully cultivated treesthriving in clean healthy soils The cultivation follows

Harvesting the fruits of a 1200 yeartradition with a real future

The indigenousMakri olive treesare some of themost northerlypopulations of

Olea europaea inthe world Theygrow in a uniquemicroclimate ofcold winters and

dry summers

Olive oil is only part of the Calypso story which stretches back overmany generations Photo Calypso

GREECE

5

innovative methods to increase fertility always respecting thebiodiversity and the structure of the soil The aim is togradually increase organic matter with the application oforganic plant and animal manure leguminous plants zeoliteeffective microorganisms and our own farm-made organiccompost

The story of how Calypso Oil has formed and now operatesis a story of traditional methods fusing with agroecologicalpractices It also signposts how young farmers can find a wayto get the best returns for their produce while also workingtogether andwith quality labels such as PDO Ark of Taste andorganic certification

To ensure the trees will still be carrying fruit for future generations a lot of the harvesting is done by hand Photo Calypso

Calypso Single Varietal Extra Virgin Olive Oilcalypsotreecom

bull Family - owned olive farms can operateprofitably using traditional methods bull qualitylabels and organic certification can bebeneficial in helping to develop and promoteagroecological production methods as well assales bull Producers share the story of Calypsoproject with consumers

KEY FACTS

CONTACT

6

Pear trees and cereals a traditionalItalian pairing in the Sinni valleyThe modern story of an 18th century fruit ndash theSinni Valley Signora pear ndash is also a story ofagroecology It is a story of revitalising food and ruralcommunities of producers working together using aspects ofEuropersquos Common Agricultural Policy and of Slow FoodPresidia helping this agroecological approach develop

Documented since the 18th century the cultivation of theSinni Valley Signora pear has played an important role over thecenturies in the agricultural areas of Matera In the last 30years this local ecotype faced extinction the establishment oflarge scale specialised fruit farms in the valley led to the

abandonment of the agricultural activities that typified thesurrounding hills (cereals and fruit trees) hence to theabandonment of the Signora pear too Moreover pear treescultivated in cereal fields were removed so as not to impedemechanised farming and harvesting Only a few trees survivedin marginal areas This loss of agro-biodiversity is widespreadin Europe and worldwide as also documented by the FAO

Slow Food Presidia aim to sustain quality production at risk ofextinction to protect unique regions and ecosystems torecover traditional processing methods and to safeguardnative breeds and local plant varieties

The Presidium of Sinni ValleySignora Pearwas established bySlow Food with the support ofthe Local Action Group Theaim was to protect theremaining trees in the area andto encourage new cultivationThe latter was to be done bysupporting the creation ofsmall professional fruit fields oflocal ecotypes on the hillswhere the microclimate isideal The Presidium involves20 producers united in anassociation cultivatingapproximately two ha of landeach counting overall 357productive adult plants

Slow Food launched thePresidium by facilitating thecreation of a producers association and carrying out field visitsto collect data to draft the production protocol Slow Foodassists the producers (by organizing training and exchanges)promotes the producers and their product through itscommunication channels and events and relies on its networkto link producers with consumers (by involving chefs andsupporting forms of direct selling)The Local Action Groupsupports the costs incurred for the development of thePresidium through the Leader+ programme (Pillar 2 of theCAP)

By promoting a product with a strong identity the Presidiumhelps the local community to focus production in a differentdirection to that dictated by the principles of mass produced

The Sinni ValleySignora pear wasalmost completelycleared to make

way for themechanisedharvesting

machinery usedon surrounding

cereal crops Only357 trees still

remain inmarginal areas

Pear trees in the middle of cereal crops are an historic throwbackto pre-industrial farming Photo Giuseppe Cucco

ITALY

7

Sinni Valley Signora Pear ProducersrsquoAssociationhttppresidislowfoodititalian-presidiadetails6324sinni-valley-signora-pear

agribusiness refocusing on the development of landscapebiodiversity agroecological practices enriching ecosystemservices The Presidia promote good products namely withdistinctive sensory qualities clean products produced usingsustainable methods that respect the local environment andfair products produced in a way that respects peoplersquos rightsand culture while assuring them a reasonable financial return

Italy can support similar initiatives in the framework of theRural Development Plans and the European Agricultural Fundfor Rural Development (EUR 104 billion)

Slow Food Presidia represents a development model fortraditional productions realised by small groups of producerswhich can be applied to other products and other contexts

A study analysing the sociocultural agro-environmental andeconomic sustainability of European Presidia reportedsignificant positive results of the Presidia across thesustainability scales A substantial increase was observed insociocultural sustainability due to the significant increase ininternal relations within the producer group and their externalrelations greater producer awareness of the value of theirwork and product better producerrsquos organisation andnegotiating power Positive results were also recorded on theagro-environmental sustainability scale (eg involving ageneral reduction in the use of synthetic chemicals for plant-based products) and on the economic scale Alternativeenergies and packaging materials with low environmentalimpact need to be further encouraged

On the wider scale and in the Sinni Valley then Slow FoodPresidia help encourage the development of agroecologicalcommunities of practice

The true value of Sinni Valleyrsquos Signora pear trees is now startingto be rediscovered by a new generation Photo Giuseppe Cucco

bull The Sinni Valley Signora Pear Presidium hashelped to preserve a traditional cropwhich isnow viable once more bull Slow Food can helpfarmers chefs rural developmentorganisations eg LEADER consumers andother stakeholders to supportenvironmentally important foods

KEY FACTS

8

Rebuilding Manchesterrsquos local foodeconomy from the ground upShort food chains and local food can be goodwaysto reduce waste and have a lighter carbonfootprint Increasingly too eateries including cateringoutlets are looking for healthy organic fruits and vegetableswhile lots of young people would love to get growing but lackland Manchester Veg People show that cooperatives can beformed which bring these strands together

Once a cradle of the industrial revolution Manchester isstarting its own food revolution from the ground up UKCooperative Manchester Veg People brings land accesstraining growing and catering together into one coherentagri-food network This is a working agroecologicalcommunity in practice one that shows us how the CommonAgricultural Policy can best be used and where some of thelimits are

A cluster of organisations called the Kindling Trust (co-founded by Chris Walsh and Helen Woodcock) is committedto rebuilding the local food economy Rather than dealing withone aspect of a supply chain they are trying to build a small-scale food supply system for the whole of Manchester

Just one of the organisations working with the Kindling Trustis the Manchester Veg People cooperative supplying organicfresh produce across Greater Manchester Both growers and

buyers can join and they ensure fair prices for growers manyof them in the county of Cheshire

Buyers include many restaurants from gastro pubs and delisto bistros and haute cuisine Shops include grocery stores andvegetarian co-ops Catering clients range from the intimate toa university campus

Manchester Veg People is supported by the English RuralDevelopment Programme This EU Rural Developmentfunding part of the Common Agricultural Policy the CAPpays for a project co-ordinator contributes towards arefrigerated van cold storage facilities crates and brandingOther necessary funds were generated by online crowdfunding

This part of the ruraldevelopment measure tries tobetter integrate farmers intothe food chain throughpromotion schemes aimed atquality food and in this wayfarmers can add value to theirproducts they can becomemore competitive Becausethey are helped to promotetheir goods they can find localmarkets and that helps toachieve a major policy goalbuilding up local economiesand short supply chains

Short food chains and localfood are also good to reducewaste and have a lighter carbon footprint due shorterdistances to transport goods But those environmentalaspects are not costed so imported produce can lookcheaper That is where the grower-buyer relationship isimportant The buyers see all the benefits so are less likely tocomplain about price

Part of the project is building up small farms 25 km southwest of Manchester is the first FarmStart site it comprises 10ha of land at Abbey Leys an organic farm Aspiring growersare first trained up (as TestCroppers) then start growingcrops on their own quarter acre (06ha) (as FarmStarters )Yet because the UK only gives CAP basic payments to farmsabove 5ha the dozen or so organic food producers will notqualify for Pillar I support

Not every foodservice kitchen is equipped or staffed to peel potatosfresh from the field Photo Manchester Veg People

By joining thecoooperative asbuying members

foodservice buyersunderstand thepricing of their

purchases and havecomplete

transparency in theirroutine dealings with

MVP growers

UNITED KINGDOM

9

Manchester Veg Peoplevegpeopleorguk

The long-term objective is to have four FarmStart sites Oneplanned at Stockport would cover the south-east corner ofManchester Walsh is also keen to establish a site for organicfruit production since there is a huge demand

Manchester Veg People ticks lots of important boxes It is areally well integrated quality regional food system It supportsa local mixed organic farm giving them the opportunity todiversify into a new area It gives people access to and to growon and it provides training and also larger plots as participantslearn

Aspects of CAP are used while some of CAP limitations arealso exposed Nevertheless Manchester Veg People is a viableexpression of agroecological communities of practice

Salad days by supplying only local customers fresh produce is oftendelivered the day it is picked Photo Manchester Veg People

bull Both buyers and growers join thecooperative ensuring complete pricetransparency bull local food cannot always bedelivered in forms that catering kitchens canuse directly bull wide variations in kitchenequipment and layouts can exclude otherwisekeen public sector clients

KEY FACTS

CONTACT

10

The Leitrim organic farmers co-op (LOFC) doesa rare thing in Ireland it brings livestock farmerstogether to act as a unified group LOFC has reallyspearheaded the development of organic livestock farmingusing traditional breeds eating a largely permanent pasturegrass fed diet And it has done so in an especially marginalisedpart of Ireland It has encouraged the development of atypically agroecological type of organic farming with farmerto farmer connections the development of local markets andthe development of member-focused learning

If acronyms can be sardonic then calling the Border MidlandWest region of Ireland the BMW region probably fits the billThis part of Ireland has been marginalised in many ways It has

more rain but less investmentmore challenging land and lesseconomic activity than most ofthe rest of the island Thepopulation is sparse and thetopography hilly This is theland of the stony grey soil Intothis stark setting stepped theLeitrimOrganic Farmers Coop(LOFC) in 1998

This vibrant organisation nowhas 170 farmer membersmostly cattle farmers withtraditional British and Irishbreeds such as HerefordsAngus and Shorthorn

ldquoDNA analysis tells you that96 of our beef come fromeither British or Irish breeds onat least one siderdquo John Brennan

of LOFC says These breeds are well suited to the conditionswhere extended outdoor pasture-based grazing is the normThis reduces the need for imported feeds on whichcontinental animals like Charolais or Limousins are moredependent

When feeds are required be it a crop or farm-baseddistribution of organic feed the coop brings farmers togetherFarmer to farmer connections are made face-to-face on thephone or on the LOFCs website Livestock too are boughtand sold through this route

All members are in the organic farming scheme so the inputsand processes of industrialised farming (synthetic pesticidesand mineral fertilizers) dependent as they are on finiteresources such as fossil fuels are not part of the farmingsystems employed And the beauty of the organic farmingrules which insist on a lower stocking rate is that higherstocking rates would be difficult and completely inappropriatein these regions anyway

Finding markets for members is a core part of what LOFCdoes It has established farmers markets and mobile butchersto supply these and other markets with local meats Thismeans that members have local outlets too

On the larger scale LOFC both created the demand for andis actively involved in organising organic cattle martsMembers have achieved good often better prices thanorganic meat achieves in the wealthier parts of Ireland Theyalso bring vital competition to the organic beef processingsector In Ireland livestock farmers unlike dairy farmers areisolated price takers

Learning and education is the othermain aim of the coop Theorganisation runs programmes for beef and sheep farmerdiscussion groups these are led by members Six events areheld yearly in this programme LOCF helped to establish theNational Organic Training Skillsnet which works with almost

Sharing knowledge and experience inLeitrim Organic Farmers Coop

LOFC hassecured localmarkets and

better prices forits membersrsquo meatthan are found in

some moreaffluent parts of

Ireland Thismeans that

members do nothave to be passive

price-takers

IRELAND

Close-up view a group gets down to identifying the key plantspecies that can be found in organic meadows Photos LOFC

11

Leitrim Organic Farmers Cooperativeleitrimorganiccom

700 people per year doing about 70 courses and about6000 training days Training is open to all ndash not just organicfarmers ndash and is subsidised (up to 100 for low incomeparticipants in some cases)

The training really focuses on value adding for small tomedium producers and is often peer-led from hoof care toice creammaking agroforestry tomeat curing Even the socialmedia training is delivered by a farmer who uses it successfully

ldquoCertified organic or not we always encourage the use oforganic systems and methods with whoever gets in contactwith us for advice or trainingrdquo Brennan adds

With good market prices group learning initiatives and thecertified organic farming of suitable traditional breeds theLeitrimOrganic Farmers co-op leads theway in agroecologicalapproaches to farming in Ireland

Grandstand view farm visits are an integral part of the LOFC programme Photos LOFC

bull LOFC helps members to gain market accessbull Creating demand for organic meat bull Earnsgood prices for membersrsquo production bull Fulleducation programme and agriculturaldiscussion groups bull Training open to all witha clear focus on adding value for small tomedium producers

KEY FACTS

CONTACT

12

Adding value to organic fruit andvegetables in the CarpathiansTheLowerCarpathian region andRoztocze in thesouth-east of Poland are well known for theirgood climatic and soil conditions ideal for fruitproduction with good soils and a long growingperiod While the hills and small farm structure were notconducive to intensive or industrial agriculture organic fruitfarming was seen as a viable option from the 1990s onwardsIn a 10-year period in the voivodeship or province ofPodkarpackie the numbers went from just a dozen organicfarms to about 2000 by 2011

The farmers established an association calledldquoTruskawkardquo (Strawberry) and producer group Bio-FoodRoztocze The Polish Rural Development Plan supported aninvestment of around 8 million zoty (2 million EUR) in 2012Currently about 100 farmers are members of the producergroup which owns its own sorting building under a measureaimed to support establishment of producer groups orcooperatives

The building was operational in 2012 and represents aninvestment of about 8million zoty (EUR 2million) madewiththe support of the Rural Development Plan under themeasure ldquoSupporting setting up of producer groupsrdquo Thefarmers bring the produce in standardised boxes that werealso bought by the producer group After preliminary sortingthese go directly to the cooling and freezing facility

The annual turnover of the producer group Bio-FoodRoztocze is about 5 million zoty (more than EUR 1 million)and is growing The main range is fruit strawberries

gooseberries blackcurrants and redcurrants raspberriesaronia sour cherries and apples There is also a range ofvegetables runner beans cucumbers broccoli cauliflowerspumpkins leeks cabbages and rhubarb

The farms are rather small ranging from2 to10hamany havesmall plots of 02 to 04 ha which are often scattered acrossone or two villages To manage this some farmers havebought small tractors or harvesting machines forblackcurrants This has been made possible by the use of themeasure ldquoModernisation of agricultural holdingsrdquo Somefarmers also qualify for support under the measureldquoSupporting farmers whoparticipate in food qualityschemesrdquo

There are still old orchards onsome farms These wereplanted by the current farmersrsquofathers or grandfathersbetween 40 and 60 years agoThe varieties are old onessometimes historical varietiesof Ukrainian origin The treesyield up to a tonne of fruit pertree The apples are collectedand processed for juice orapple juice concentrate andsold on the European marketand sometimes to Americancustomers In this way theagricultural biodiversity is reallyprotected by the practice of using the crop This is one of thebest ways to protect biodiversity since the existing marketwill ensure that the old trees will be kept on and not replacedby industrially standardised modern small trees

All the farmers are certified organic and they are supported bythe agri-environmental programme ndash measure OrganicFarming (approximately EUR 400 per ha) The producergroup helps to develop a collective efficiency by organizingshared purchasing of seeds plants such as strawberries andraspberries as well as biological plant protection products andfertilizers authorised for use in organic agriculture

Tomasz Obszanski has developed a small processing unit onhis farm There he built a unit to cold-press rapeseed oil withsupport under the measure ldquoDiversification into non-Checking soft fruit on its way to the cooperatives freezing line

Photo Dorota Metera

Establishedapple orchards

planted by fathersand grandfathersof current farmers

contain historicregional varietiesYielding about aton of apples pertree the fruit is

picked for juice orconcentrateproduction

POLAND

13

agriculture activitiesrdquo He has also established a small companyndash Barwy zdrowia (The colours of the health) he sells hisproducts and the products of neighbouring organic farmers inhis farmshop

Every weekend he travels 400 km each way in a minibus toWarsaw and to Katowice where he sells his vegetables at aweekly organic market ndash Biobazar This market is located at aformer manufacturing site which gives the place has a realpost-modernist atmosphere The crowded Biobazar is visitedby thousands customers every Saturday

It is long way from the hills of south-east Poland to theenvironmentally-aware customers in the capital It is long notonly in terms of the 800 km round trip but also in terms ofthe daily work over the past 10 years to develop organicfarming and to conserve traditional landscapes andbiodiversity

In order to support practices like the one of Bio-FoodRoztocze governments should increase their support fororganic farming and funding for producer groups for organicfood as well as for quality schemes under the new CAP

By stocking locally adapted varieties converting to organicforming producer groups and adding value for themselves asboth a group and as individuals these Polish farmers aremaking the most of CAP to help them operate agro-ecologically

Bio-Food Roztocze Sp zoo Grupaproducentoacutewbfrnetpl

The new Bio-Food Roztocze fruit processing facility centralisesstorage and distribution Photo Dorota Metera

Established orchards planted up by past generations have found anew lease of life for juice production Photo Dorota Metera

bull Opportunity to promote organic fruitfor mainstream markets bull Flexiblestructure can include holdings as small as02 hectares bull Supports jobs on smallfarms bull New outlet for heritage applevarieties retains existing diversity withestablished traditional full-size trees

KEY FACTS

CONTACT

14

A landscape with livestock needslocal abattoirs to survive intactOver the past two years west Francersquos agrifoodheartland has been hit by a series of companyfailures and job losses The Doux poultry group and rivalTilly Sabco both had business models based on third countrypoultry exports which used to qualify for export restitutionsbased on the cereals fed to the birds Struggling pigslaughtering and processing business Gad was bought up byone of Francersquos large agricultural cooperatives which wasunable to turn the business round before closing one abattoirand finally selling off what was left of the business

As local and national political figures vie for the limelight tosave the failing food industry giants the plight of small localabattoirs goes unreported

Local slaughterhouses are an indispensable but often ignoredpart of regional food chains They are a missing link in an

agroecological food system which may well have highenvironmental and other standards on the farm but theninvolve very long distances to slaughter This is not optimalfrom an animal stress or local food system perspective

There are few alternatives Mobile slaughterhouses are notadapted to large animal units like cattle and on-farmslaughterhouses are forbidden Even where they are stillallowed for example in Germany and Spain the hygiene rulesare the same as for the larger scale abattoir buildings Therecan thus be a lack of economy of scale and profitability forthese very small scale options just a handful of breeders arelikely to be profitable long-term

Jean-Claude Galland a breeder in the Indre et Loiredepartement (Centre region) and once a representative onthe Chamber of Agriculture explains the work he has done tokeep a local abattoir going ldquoOver the past 15 years fiveslaughterhouses have stopped Many of them were familybusinesses with no succession Nor did they invest in newequipment to meet hygiene standardsrdquo He has set up a localdevelopment project based on short supply chains includingbreeders and butchers as key partners

Upgrading hygiene standards had kept the abattoir inbusiness But the 100-year old town centre premises isholding the business back despite having the volumes andthe expertise

Working with a small team of motivated people with thegoodwill of many farmers Galland and his colleagues startedlobbying local policymakers and recruited the support ofChambers of Agriculture as well as Chambers of Commerceand artisan associations Land has been made available by theinter-commune local authorities Local schools havecommitted to buy meat from the new abattoir and the Mayorof Tours sees the new slaughterhouse as a way of meetingsome religious slaughtering requirements

The main aim is to promote local meat production for retailbutchers adding value to their businesses and offering betterquality products By operating a local slaughterhouseprocessing 700 tonnes of meat a year the business alsosupports numerous livestock breeders including those whosell their pork beef or lamb directly to their own customers

ldquoIf a local abattoir closes itrsquos too laterdquo explains Galland ldquoSowe need to plan ahead Thatrsquos what some farmers in local foodchains did when they realised that the last remaining abattoirfaces problemsrdquo The result is a cooperative business structure

FRANCE

The independent butchery trade depends on local abattoirs for itsday to day procurement needs Photo Fotolia

15

based on Francersquos new SCIC (Socieacuteteacute civile dinteacuterecirctcoopeacuteratif) framework which allows consumers andconsumer associations to join

The project is built around offering a multi-species servicewith a cutting and boning workshop It has a target of 700tonnes of meat a year to become viable The catchment areaextends over an 80-kilometre radius The budget for thisproject is EUR 3million with the expected support of EAFRD(CAP Pillar 2) of EUR 143000 and with significant regionaland local grants The new slaughterhouse is scheduled to openin 2016

This regional case in France shows how a future for livestockfarming exists using localmarkets Local food systems can takeinto account all the animal production chains including theprocessing stage for diverse animal categories Localslaughterhouses are thus a key piece of local food chains Thiscase study shows how local and regional authorities arebecoming influential driving forces favouring local foodsystems From 2014 French regions are managementauthorities for Rural Development Programmes so have thepower to make the most of CAP for their territories

Bourgueuil multi-species abattoirhttpwwwindre-et-loirechambagrifrfileadmindocumentssite_1internetAgricultureProximitePlaquette_Ab-Bourgueil-imprimeur_01pdf

bullDevelopment of links between farmers andbutchers who choose local food chains bullEssential rural infrastructure for livestocksector bull Multi-species abattoir complyingwith EU hygiene standards including beefveal sheep goat pig horse bullMore than 150breeders bull 700 tonnesyear needed tobecome viable

Livestock is as much part of the rural economy as it is of the landscape Access to agricultural infrastructure is essential Photo Fotolia

KEY FACTS

CONTACT

16

Ecological Recycling Agriculture (ERA) is a formof organic farming based on the full utilisation oflocal and renewable resources to better manageand recycle nutrients In the Baltic Sea region agriculturehas accounted for about 50 of nitrogen and phosphorusleakage leading to high levels of water pollution The ERAconcept was developed by the Building Ecological RecyclingAgriculture and Societies (BERAS) ndash an international networkndash set up to respond to the negative impact of intensive andspecialised conventional arable and livestock farms in theregion BERAS works with farmer organisations advisorybodies research institutions and local governments topromote sustainable production consumption and livelihoodsin the Baltic region

Between 2003 and 2005 BERAS conducted pilot studies on48 organic farms in eight countries surrounding the Baltic Seato evaluate and demonstrate the potential of organic farmingpractices to reduce the negative effects of intensiveagricultural practices especially on the marine environment

Activities also includedengagement with establishedlocal and organic food andfarming initiatives in eachcountry to promote exchangeon the obstacles and solutionsfor change The environmentalbenefits and social impact ofERA vis-agrave-vis conventionalagriculture were also assessedas well as the possibilities andeconomic implications ofconverting to organic farmingand applying the ERA practicesThe aim is to achieve a goodbalance between crop andlivestock enterprises and to useand recycle local renewableresources through practices such as crop rotation thecultivation of nitrogen-fixing crops and manure managementin order to increase farm self-sufficiency and significantlyreduce nutrient losses Organic farming in combination withthe ERA practices have the potential to reduce nitrogensurpluses by more than 50 avoid synthetic inputs improvesoil fertility and biodiversity reduce greenhouse gasemissions and enhance rural development and the regionalfood supply

Between 2010 and 2013 BERAS has worked to promote andimplement its findings on a whole food chain basis This hasinvolved cooperation with 42 farms to develop andcommunicate good farming practice and the establishment of20 information centres across nine Baltic countries todemonstrate and advocate conversion to organic farming andthe uptake of ERA practices as well as to develop networksof Sustainable Food Societies (SFS) from farm to fork Theinformation centres serve as education and training forums forfarmers policymakers teachers students and the generalpublic Centres provide practical farming guidance on theimplementation of agronomic practices proven to supportmore efficient nutrient management on and between farmsduring and after conversion A range of agroecologicalpractices are covered from building soil fertility and croprotation design to plant protection animal husbandry andmanure management Agronomic guidance is supported bytools such as a nitrogen budget calculator and an organic crop

The Baltic Ecological RecyclingAgriculture and Society initiative

The Baltics legacyfrom industrialisedfarming requires acarefully plannedintegrated toolboxthat takes regional

factors into accountwhile still applying

the evergreenorganic principle of

thinking locallyacting global

BALTIC REGION

Algal blooms in the Baltic Sea have been visible from space since2005 when this dramatic NASA picture was taken Photo USGSNASALandsat 7

17

Baltic Ecological Recycling Agriculture andSociety (BERAS)beraseu

rotation planner Learning material is complemented byadditional guidance related to economic planning for theconversion process and market development as well as farmcase study overviews In addition the learning centres place astrong emphasis on consumer and SME engagement in thedevelopment of a Diet for a Clean Baltic (DCB) which is basedon the concept of healthy high-quality and seasonal organicand local production reduced meat consumption and foodwaste

BERAS shows just what can be done when farmers have theopportunity to put into practice a whole farm approach tonutrient management and recycling The BERAS project alsoshows just how comprehensive regional approaches to foodsystems can be

The BERAS network reflects a shared need to restore the Baltic farming environment Photo Fotolia

bull Intensive farming contributes to excessivenutrients in water environments causingsignificant pollution bull Better nutrientmanagement can be achieved by applyingorganic and agroecological practices bull A widerange of stakeholders can be integrated intothis better way to produce food

KEY FACTS

CONTACT

18

At EU level the German Ministry of Agriculturewas one of the harshest critics and opponents ofthe approach adopted by the EuropeanCommission to reform direct payments andmakethem greener and fairer Berlin rejected bothcapping (a business-level ceiling on payments) and compulsorygreening (environmental rules for direct payments) Thisposition is also reflected in the national implementation of theCAP reform But two things remain as positive outcomes forthe discussion at an EU level the protection of permanentgrasslands as well as the ban of synthetic fertilizers andpesticides from some ecologic focus areas Although thisGerman ban has not yet been applied it shows possibilities inEU regulation

Germany along with Belgium (Flanders) is the only EUMember State in favour of an authorisation system at farmlevel for the conversion of permanent grassland withingreening Post 2015 every holding seeking to transform

permanent grassland into for example arable land must haveauthorisation to do so The compulsory authorisation isapplicable immediately and not just when the percentage ofpermanent grassland in the region has dropped by a further5 German law specifies the situations in which suchconversion must be approved by regional authorities

bull when the permanent grassland was created after 2014

bull when another area in the region of the same size is to beconverted to permanent grassland

bull when the permanent grassland in question has beencreated because of the requirements of agri-environmentalmeasures

If a holding were to convert permanent grassland into arableland without authorisation the greening payment and insome cases even further elements of its direct paymentswould be cut

If the percentage of permanent grassland in a region drops by5 despite the compulsory authorisation no furtherconversions will be authorised and an obligation to restore orcreate new permanent grassland will come into force

The implementation of greening with respect to maintenanceof permanent grassland is a positive development Howeverthe picture is tainted by the fact that only Flora-Fauna-Habitat(FFH) areas qualify as environmentally-sensitive permanentgrassland This means that permanent grassland located inmoors and wetlands not included in the FFH areas can beploughed up to plant new grasses This would have a negativeeffect on environmental and climate protection

As a grassland type permanent grassland ndash especially whenmanaged with reduced fertilizers use ndash performs well forerosion prevention maintenance of soil fertility as a carbonsink for biodiversity including as a habitat for specific faunaand flora and for landscape and natural heritage formationmore generally

For the recent round of CAP reform two issues wereintensively debated in Germany - what types of areas shouldbe deemed ecological focus areas and whether the use ofpesticides and fertilizers should be allowed in themEventually all 19 possible area types included in the EUregulation including catch crops and undersown grass also inmaize were accepted The use of pesticides and mineralfertilizers is however prohibited for catch crops and under-sowing grass from the harvest of the previous crop up to the

Grassland protection and buildingEcological Focus Areas in Germany

The new German laws to protect permanent grassland are verystrict and involve penalties Photo MH

GERMANY

19

abl-evde

end of the claim year However pesticides or mineralfertilizers in this interim period are not used on this areasanyway These areas can only be treated with manure whichcan also be used in ecological focus areas This temporary banon plant spraying and mineral fertilizers can therefore be onlyseen a symbolic gain in the political framework But it showsthat such a ban is possible under EU regulation

The case of Germany shows that each Member State orregion has the power to make the most of the CAP Thereare options and opportunities everywhere as the partial banon pesticides and mineral fertilizers in Ecological Focus Areasshows Likewise the maintenance of permanent pastures asan approach whether at farm or regional level is beneficialenvironmentally Ecological Focus Areas ndash an agroecologicalidea and practice introduced into the Pillar 1 Direct Paymentsndash show what is possible in terms of best environmentalpractice These areas however need protecting fromchemical inputs in each region and Member State

German debate on Ecological Focus Areas gives an idea of what can be achieved under EU regulations Photo MH

bullThere are numerous environmental benefitsto permanent grasslands and some toecological focus areas bull Germany has optedfor compulsory authorisation for theconversion of permanent grasslands bull Whilethese rules have limits they still showwhat ispossible under the rules of CAP

KEY FACTS

CONTACT

20

Good management of traditional meadowsserves a number of purposes including grazing forlivestock protecting biodiversity and supportingpollination To this end Flowering Meadowsinitiatives have been established across France topreserve the ecology and biodiversity ofgrasslands These initiatives seek to promote amongfarmers and local communities the importance of preservingtraditional meadows and at the same time communicate thestrong correlation between biodiversity management andhigh quality produce such as milk cheese and meat Thisincludes highlighting the added value of promotingenvironmental delivery in product marketing

As part of the original Flowering Meadows scheme farmersin conservation areas ndash primarily designated Natura 2000areas ndash receive agri-environmental payments for maintainingspecies-rich grasslands The scheme which is applied at fieldlevel combines different management practices such aslimitations on the use of fertiliser and stocking densitiesFarmers are required to demonstrate that at least fourdifferent types of plants species can be found across themanaged meadow Importantly payments are results-basedand so are linked to what is actually achieved This incentivisesfarmers to go a step further and places them at the heart of

the process where they take the lead in adopting goodgrassland management practices So as a result farmersdecide when to mow or when to use different inputs basedon what they think will work with their own local on-farmconditions And farmers not arbitrary calendar dates are thedriving force This increases farmer autonomy and is aninnovative approach found in a few other agri-environmentalschemes in the EU

Concurrently farmers develop an understanding of theimportance of maintaining semi-natural grasslands forlivestock production Training sessions and guidelines are alsoprovided to famers to support participation and the uptake ofmanagement practices To this end farmers understand betterhow to protect and enhance the management of agro-ecosystems Farmers not located in these areas can alsoparticipate however organisers of similar initiatives must self-finance themselves which can often be amajor obstacle to theextension of the original scheme

The Flowering Meadows approach is linked to an annualcompetition which has helped to encourage greater farmerparticipation The first competition was organised in 2007 intheMassif des Bauges and helped to demonstrate that speciesrichness can be combined with a viable fodder productionThis was followed with the launch of similar competitions byother federations of regional and national parks in 2010

Flowering meadows are a continuousfood source for pollinators

Award winners in the Vosges gain recognition trough the Concours Geacuteneacuteral Agricole PhotoJean-Marie Henry (PNR du Ballon des Vosges)

FRANCE

21

Concours Geacuteneacuteral Agricoleprairiesfleuriesespaces-naturelsfr

Competitions includes a field test by experts to assess theecological quality of the meadow ndash including the differentgrass and flower types associated with local and regionalconditions Above all it examines whether farmers maintain agood balance between agricultural production andenvironmental management and the extent to which this cancontribute to quality of life in local communities During thefield tests different experts ndash from agriculturalists toecologists to beekeepers ndash accompany farmers in their fieldsThey assess the farmersrsquo meadows in terms of thecontribution of species richness to forage production (qualitypalatability flexibility) and farmerrsquos ability to maintain orenhance biodiversity The whole process is followed up byfeedback sessions and questionnaires with a national workinggroup established to develop assessment criteria andguidance The scheme now has its own website and an annualbulletin created to promote the competition

The Flowering Meadows initiative has been adopted by 33out of 46 Regional Parks and the six National Parks organiselocal contests over the last seven years with some parksholding joint contests together with bordering parks inneighbouring countries The whole project is built on theenhancement of sustainable management practices ingrassland areas It helps to give a better image of the value ofagroecological approaches to farmers and how thesemethodscan help to improve their land and productivity It also givesfarmers the opportunity to feel that their work is recognisedand rewarded In 2014 the Flowering Meadows competitionbecame part of Francersquos prestigious General AgricultureCompetition (Concours Geacuteneacuteral Agricole)

The judges for the Concours Geacuteneacuteral Agricole are looking fordiversity in both flora and fauna Photo Vincent Ruin (ChambredAgriculture Savoie-Mont Blanc)

bullProtects habitats for pollinator populationsbull Diversified flora ensures constant supply ofnectar throughout the growing season bull Farmtrials proved that flowering meadows can bea good source of fodder for livestock bull Take-up of extensive farming practices in regionalparks

KEY FACTS

CONTACT

22

More about the CAPSince 1999 the CAP architecture has been divided into two pillars Pillar1 funds market intervention measures and direct aid to farmers whilePillar 2 is intended to support rural development and in particularenvironmental measures At EU level annual Pillar 1 direct aids represent 70market measures 10 while multi-annual Pillar 2 schemes only 20 of the totalCAP budget

Pillar 1 measures 100 financed by the EU includebull a basic payment scheme decoupled payments per ha which are not linked to production

Depending on each Member Statersquos history these payments will progressively convergetowards a more uniform rate per ha by 2019

bull an optional top-up payment applicable to the first 30ha to support small and mediumsize farm-holdings in a case where a Member states does not apply any cut on direct aidsabove EUR 150000 per beneficiary

bull greening payment a new payment corresponding to 30 of total direct aid which issubject to three measures - crop diversification protection of permanent pastures andgrasslands and a minimum of 5 farmland managed as an ecological focus areas Somefarms are exempt from these measures due to their size and production Organic farmsare recognised for their environmental delivery and therefore qualify automatically

bull young farmer aid up to 2 of the national envelope

bull coupled payments can represent up to 15 of the national envelope paid per ha or peranimal for some specific sectors facing economic social or territorial difficulties Thecultivation of proteins crops is also included

bull a common market organisation includes a range of measures such as a safety netproducer organisation and inter-branch organisations schemes a vineyard plantingregime

Pillar 2 measures cofinanced by the EU and Member Statesinclude

bull knowledge exchange

bull farm modernisation and young farmers

bull less favoured areas

bull agri-environmental and climate schemes

bull organic farming

bull basic services and village renewal

bull LEADER scheme

Measures are part of seven-year Rural Development Programmes managed bynational or regional authorities and approved ex-ante by the European CommissionMember states have a lot of flexibitility to implement measures of their choosingndash with the exception of agri-environmental and LEADER components which arecompulsory However they still have to respect financial rules and some crosscompliance measures (eg EU regulations good agricultural and environmentalconditions) otherwise some penalties may arise

23

Transitioning the CAP towardsmore agroecological approachesThe case studies in this publication highlight different ways farmers and citizens arealready making the transition towards food sovereignty and agroecologicalapproachs It shows the ambitious pathways communities are taking in the pursuitof more sustainable livelihoods that can really stimulate a greener economy jobcreation and better well-being for people

A CAP that supports farmers and citizens engaged inagroecological approachesWith political will and investment this is what our food and farming systems couldrealistically look like in the future It is now time for public policies to support thistransition Citizens demand farming systems that support the environment andsustainable rural-urban food economies ndash it is the responsibility of the EU andnational policymakers to ensure that CAP funding is used for this Many MemberStates have already agreed spending priorities for supporting farm viabilityenvironment and social inclusion amongst others in partnership agreements withthe European Commission under the Common Strategic Framework 2014-2020It is critical that these spending allocations are channelled towards initiatives similarto those highlighted in these case studies

The CAP and in particular Rural Developmentmeasures should be used only to fundfarmers and food enterprises delivering for the environment and people These caninclude supporting organic farming quality products cooperation and local andregional producers groups agri-environment-climate advisory services and agro-ecological innovation In the process such support should stimulate thedevelopment of

bull Food production based on food sovereignty and agroecological approaches

bull Community-led short supply chain development

bull Agro-ecological knowledge transfer advice and innovation

A CAP with ambitious agroecological investments and policycoherenceToday despite only representing a small fraction of the overall CAP budget manymeasures available under Rural Development Programmes remain the best vehiclefor supporting the necessary transitions ndash if implemented in the right waySignificantly more of the CAP budget needs to be invested to improve thesustainability of the food chain and support local economies and businesses Overthe coming years Member States must make a major shift in food policy andprioritise agro-ecological approachs by shifting money from the direct paymentsbudget in order to target these measures available under rural development Thissupport needs to be strongly aligned to other EU and national funds and policiesto ensure coherence and maximise the impact of all from the development of asustainable food policy to greater investment in organic and other agroecologicalresearch and innovation

The mid-term review of the Multi-annual Framework 2014-2020 scheduled forthe end of 2016 is a key opportunity for EU Heads of State and government toshow real leadership by dedicating a strong proportion of the CAP budget to thefurther transition towards agroecological production systems

24

GlossaryBERAS Building Ecological Recycling Agriculture and SocietiesBMW Border Midland West region of IrelandCAP Common Agricultural PolicyCRIES Resource Center for Ethical and Solidarity InitiativesDCB Diet for a Clean BalticDNA DeoxyriboNucleic Acid which provides the building blocks for chromosonesEAFRD European Agricultural Fund for Rural DevelopmentEFA Ecological Focus AreaEIP European Innovation PartnershipERA Ecological Recycling AgricultureEU European UnionFAO Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United NationsFFH Flora-Fauna HabitatGLAS Green Low-carbon Agri-environmet SchemeLOFC Leitrim organic farmers co-opMVP Manchester Veg People cooperativePDO Protected Denomination of OriginSCIC Socieacuteteacute coopeacuterative dinteacuterecirct collectifSFC Sustainable Food SocietiesSME Small to Medium EnterpriseUSAMV University of Agricultural Sciences of Cluj-Napoca

Further readingEU institutionsEuropean CommissioneceuropaeuagricultureEuropean Parliament (Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development)europarleuropaeucommitteesenAGRIhomehtmlCouncil of the EUconsiliumeuropaeuentopicsagricultureCommittee of the RegionscoreuropaeuEuropean Court of AuditorsecaeuropaeuEuropean Economic and Social CommitteeeesceuropaeuEurostateppeurostateceuropaeu

NGOs platforms and think-tanksARC 2020arc2020euFriends of the Earth EuropefoeeuropeorgagricultureIFOAM EU Groupifoam-euorgEuropean Network for Rural DevelopmentenrdeceuropaeuGroupe de Brugesgroupedebrugeseue-learningInstitute for Environmental European Policycap2020ieepeuInstitute for Agriculture and Trade Policyiatporg

Blogscapreformeutomasgarciaazcaratecom

TRANSITIONING TOWARDSAGROECOLOGY using the CAPto build new food systemsThis publication aims to showcase some successful examplesfrom a number of different EU member states where atransition in agrifood systems is already taking place

We have gathered here a number of farming and communityproject leaders diligent observers of the CAP actors in ruraldevelopment food systems and agroecology innovatorsWebelieve that what they have to tell is important for the futureof the CAP

It gives some clear indications for the priorities thatgovernments should have if they are serious about makinggood use of public money for supporting and scaling up anagroecological transition

The Agricultural and Rural Convention 2020 (ARC2020) and Friends of the Earth Europe gratefullyacknowledge financial assistance from the European Commission Directorate-General for Agricultureand Rural Development and FPH The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the abovementioned organisations and cannot be regarded as reflecting the position of the funders mentionedabove

In association with

Introduction i

RomaniaAttila Szocs Eco RuralisSaving traditional seeds for future generations to grow and share 0 2

GreecePavlos Georgiadis CalypsoHarvesting the fruits of a 1200 year tradition with a real future 04

ItalyMarta Messa Slow Food EuropePear trees and cereals a traditional Italian pairing in the Sinni valley 06

United KingdomPeter Crosskey ARC2020Rebuilding Manchesterrsquos local food economy from the ground up 08

IrelandOliver Moore ARC2020Sharing knowledge and experience in Leitrimrsquos Organic Farmersrsquo Coop 10

PolandDorota Metera Green InstituteAdding value to organic fruit and vegetables in the Carpathians 12

FranceSamuel Feacuteret ARC2020A landscape with livestock needs local abattoirs to survive intact 14

Baltic regionStephen Meredith Effimia Chatzinikolaou IFOAM EU GroupThe Baltic Ecological Recycling Agriculture and Society initiative 16

GermanyUli Jasper AbLGrassland protection and building Ecological Focus Areas in Germany 18

FranceStephen Meredith Effimia Chatzinikolaou IFOAM EU GroupFlowering meadows are a continuous food source for pollinators 20

More about the CAP 22

Transitioning the CAP towards more agroecological approaches 23

Further reading and glossary 24

CONTENTS

Published byARC2020co Zukunfstiftung LandwirtschaftMarienstrasse 19-2010117 BerlinGermanyt +49 30 284 82 326e contactarc2020euw wwwarc2020eu

Friends of the Earth EuropeMundo-b buildingRue d-Edimbourg 261050 BrusselsBelgium

In association withIFOAM EU GroupRue du Commerce 1241000 BrusselsBelgiumt +32 2 280 1223e infoifoam-euorg

Compiled and edited bySamuel Feacuteret Oliver Moore

Editorial committeeStanka Becheva Samuel FeacuteretBenedikt Haerlin Hannes LorenzenStephen Meredith Oliver MooreAndrzej Nowakowski

Photo creditsAttila Szocs Calypso Giuseppe CuccoManchester Veg People LOFCDorota Metera Fotolia USGSNASALandsat 7 MH Jean-Marie Henry(PNR du Ballon des Vosges) VincentRuin (Chambre dAgriculture Savoie-Mont Blanc) Wikimedia

ProductionHand-drawn graphics Eimear McNallyLayout Peter CrosskeyPrinted by Imprimerie Le Galliard5 Mail de Bourgchevreuil35510 Cesson-Sevigneacute FranceImprimrsquovert-registered printerFebruary 2015









Samuel Feacuteret

ARC2020

Introduction

i

2











ROMANIA

3






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

4










dry summers


GREECE

5






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

6














ITALY

7









KEY FACTS

8
















MVP growers

UNITED KINGDOM

9







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

10


















price-takers

IRELAND


11








KEY FACTS

CONTACT

12










Photo Dorota Metera





POLAND

13










KEY FACTS

CONTACT

14











FRANCE


15







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

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BALTIC REGION


17






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

18














GERMANY

19

abl-evde





KEY FACTS

CONTACT

20








FRANCE

21






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

22
















bull LEADER scheme


23









24









In association with








Samuel Feacuteret

ARC2020

Introduction

i

2











ROMANIA

3






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

4










dry summers


GREECE

5






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

6














ITALY

7









KEY FACTS

8
















MVP growers

UNITED KINGDOM

9







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

10


















price-takers

IRELAND


11








KEY FACTS

CONTACT

12










Photo Dorota Metera





POLAND

13










KEY FACTS

CONTACT

14











FRANCE


15







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

16










BALTIC REGION


17






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

18














GERMANY

19

abl-evde





KEY FACTS

CONTACT

20








FRANCE

21






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

22
















bull LEADER scheme


23









24









In association with

2











ROMANIA

3






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

4










dry summers


GREECE

5






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

6














ITALY

7









KEY FACTS

8
















MVP growers

UNITED KINGDOM

9







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

10


















price-takers

IRELAND


11








KEY FACTS

CONTACT

12










Photo Dorota Metera





POLAND

13










KEY FACTS

CONTACT

14











FRANCE


15







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

16










BALTIC REGION


17






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

18














GERMANY

19

abl-evde





KEY FACTS

CONTACT

20








FRANCE

21






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

22
















bull LEADER scheme


23









24









In association with

3






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

4










dry summers


GREECE

5






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

6














ITALY

7









KEY FACTS

8
















MVP growers

UNITED KINGDOM

9







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

10


















price-takers

IRELAND


11








KEY FACTS

CONTACT

12










Photo Dorota Metera





POLAND

13










KEY FACTS

CONTACT

14











FRANCE


15







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

16










BALTIC REGION


17






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

18














GERMANY

19

abl-evde





KEY FACTS

CONTACT

20








FRANCE

21






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

22
















bull LEADER scheme


23









24









In association with

4










dry summers


GREECE

5






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

6














ITALY

7









KEY FACTS

8
















MVP growers

UNITED KINGDOM

9







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

10


















price-takers

IRELAND


11








KEY FACTS

CONTACT

12










Photo Dorota Metera





POLAND

13










KEY FACTS

CONTACT

14











FRANCE


15







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

16










BALTIC REGION


17






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

18














GERMANY

19

abl-evde





KEY FACTS

CONTACT

20








FRANCE

21






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

22
















bull LEADER scheme


23









24









In association with

5






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

6














ITALY

7









KEY FACTS

8
















MVP growers

UNITED KINGDOM

9







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

10


















price-takers

IRELAND


11








KEY FACTS

CONTACT

12










Photo Dorota Metera





POLAND

13










KEY FACTS

CONTACT

14











FRANCE


15







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

16










BALTIC REGION


17






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

18














GERMANY

19

abl-evde





KEY FACTS

CONTACT

20








FRANCE

21






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

22
















bull LEADER scheme


23









24









In association with

6














ITALY

7









KEY FACTS

8
















MVP growers

UNITED KINGDOM

9







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

10


















price-takers

IRELAND


11








KEY FACTS

CONTACT

12










Photo Dorota Metera





POLAND

13










KEY FACTS

CONTACT

14











FRANCE


15







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

16










BALTIC REGION


17






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

18














GERMANY

19

abl-evde





KEY FACTS

CONTACT

20








FRANCE

21






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

22
















bull LEADER scheme


23









24









In association with

7









KEY FACTS

8
















MVP growers

UNITED KINGDOM

9







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

10


















price-takers

IRELAND


11








KEY FACTS

CONTACT

12










Photo Dorota Metera





POLAND

13










KEY FACTS

CONTACT

14











FRANCE


15







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

16










BALTIC REGION


17






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

18














GERMANY

19

abl-evde





KEY FACTS

CONTACT

20








FRANCE

21






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

22
















bull LEADER scheme


23









24









In association with

8
















MVP growers

UNITED KINGDOM

9







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

10


















price-takers

IRELAND


11








KEY FACTS

CONTACT

12










Photo Dorota Metera





POLAND

13










KEY FACTS

CONTACT

14











FRANCE


15







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

16










BALTIC REGION


17






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

18














GERMANY

19

abl-evde





KEY FACTS

CONTACT

20








FRANCE

21






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

22
















bull LEADER scheme


23









24









In association with

9







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

10


















price-takers

IRELAND


11








KEY FACTS

CONTACT

12










Photo Dorota Metera





POLAND

13










KEY FACTS

CONTACT

14











FRANCE


15







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

16










BALTIC REGION


17






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

18














GERMANY

19

abl-evde





KEY FACTS

CONTACT

20








FRANCE

21






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

22
















bull LEADER scheme


23









24









In association with

10


















price-takers

IRELAND


11








KEY FACTS

CONTACT

12










Photo Dorota Metera





POLAND

13










KEY FACTS

CONTACT

14











FRANCE


15







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

16










BALTIC REGION


17






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

18














GERMANY

19

abl-evde





KEY FACTS

CONTACT

20








FRANCE

21






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

22
















bull LEADER scheme


23









24









In association with

11








KEY FACTS

CONTACT

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Photo Dorota Metera





POLAND

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KEY FACTS

CONTACT

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FRANCE


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KEY FACTS

CONTACT

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BALTIC REGION


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KEY FACTS

CONTACT

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GERMANY

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abl-evde





KEY FACTS

CONTACT

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FRANCE

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KEY FACTS

CONTACT

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bull LEADER scheme


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In association with

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Photo Dorota Metera





POLAND

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KEY FACTS

CONTACT

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FRANCE


15







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

16










BALTIC REGION


17






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

18














GERMANY

19

abl-evde





KEY FACTS

CONTACT

20








FRANCE

21






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

22
















bull LEADER scheme


23









24









In association with

13










KEY FACTS

CONTACT

14











FRANCE


15







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

16










BALTIC REGION


17






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

18














GERMANY

19

abl-evde





KEY FACTS

CONTACT

20








FRANCE

21






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

22
















bull LEADER scheme


23









24









In association with

14











FRANCE


15







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

16










BALTIC REGION


17






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

18














GERMANY

19

abl-evde





KEY FACTS

CONTACT

20








FRANCE

21






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

22
















bull LEADER scheme


23









24









In association with

15







KEY FACTS

CONTACT

16










BALTIC REGION


17






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

18














GERMANY

19

abl-evde





KEY FACTS

CONTACT

20








FRANCE

21






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

22
















bull LEADER scheme


23









24









In association with

16










BALTIC REGION


17






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

18














GERMANY

19

abl-evde





KEY FACTS

CONTACT

20








FRANCE

21






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

22
















bull LEADER scheme


23









24









In association with

17






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

18














GERMANY

19

abl-evde





KEY FACTS

CONTACT

20








FRANCE

21






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

22
















bull LEADER scheme


23









24









In association with

18














GERMANY

19

abl-evde





KEY FACTS

CONTACT

20








FRANCE

21






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

22
















bull LEADER scheme


23









24









In association with

19

abl-evde





KEY FACTS

CONTACT

20








FRANCE

21






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

22
















bull LEADER scheme


23









24









In association with

20








FRANCE

21






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

22
















bull LEADER scheme


23









24









In association with

21






KEY FACTS

CONTACT

22
















bull LEADER scheme


23









24









In association with

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bull LEADER scheme


23









24









In association with

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24









In association with

24









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In association with

T R A N SIT IO N IN G T O W A R D S A G R O E C O L O G Y · 2015-02-17 · Introduction i Rom ania...

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Transcript of T R A N SIT IO N IN G T O W A R D S A G R O E C O L O G Y · 2015-02-17 · Introduction i Rom ania...