International conference “Local Identity Product (LIP) - sustainable support systems for communities in Europe”

15th – 18th February 2012, Latvia

Working session 1: Viable food production: global decisions and local actions

15th February 2012, Latvia

Growing interest in local/ traditional products all over the world

closely linked to a specific place of origin

deeply-rooted in the various popular cultures

Even if this means paying higher prices

What is the motivation of this unprecedented preference ?

Globalization Standardized products Industrialized products

A largenumber of consumers are

“turning back”!

What do we see?New challenges on the production side

Population growth Climate change Natural resource scarcity Policy reform Globalization Concentration of bargaining power

in the retail sector Energy supply, Diseases related to malnutrition

How can LIP help feed a planet ?

With 9-10 billion people in 2050With restrictions coming from:

energy supply, water supply, greenhouse gas emissions, soil quality, wild and cultivated biodiversity

Which place for Industrial agriculture vs. Agro ecological methods

industrial agriculture is likely to fail the test of long-term sustainability

Natural resources scarcity: water, soil, biodiversity

Food and fuel? Food or fuel?

Global chains vs local chains small fraction of the total

value goes to the agriculture;

Food crises undermined consumers’ trust

BSE, Dioxin residues, mad cow etc

Desertification of our villages. Can you produce more locally?

LIP allow the maintenance of economic activity in a territory.

LIP avoid: Ghost villages Clone villages

HOW TO FACE THESE MAJOR PROBLEMS?

Local businesses are certainly an encouraging way

Examples of LIP contribution to sustainable development?

Socio-economic aspects Maintain qualified population in deprived areas Good added-value with little investment in promotion Encourage agricultural diversification Preserve local know-how and cultural identity Attract and develop eco and cultural tourism Combat desertification Environment and biodiversity

Preserve bio-diversity Rely on local resources and raw materials