Samuel Féret, ARC2020 coordinator, Agroecology Symposium, Samuel Féret, ARC2020 coordinator, Agroecology Symposium, FAO, Budapest, 24 Nov. 2016FAO, Budapest, 24 Nov. 2016

What's the Agricultural and Rural Convention?

CAP and agroecology: « Yes we can but we don't dare »

In Europe, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) = key legislative framework influencing the production, sale and processing of agricultural products

The CAP has driven major decisions on the direction of agriculture in Europe: EU Ag spends 40% of EU Budget

A well known story : CAP has encouraged intensification and specialisation of productions, structural change [van der Ploeg, EP, 2016], loss of jobs in rural areas [MEP Andrieu report, 2016], loss of biodiversity etc...

Yet, despite reforms over past decades and the green payment promise in 2013, the CAP has not gone far enough to support or stimulate agroecological approaches (vs some national goverments)

Implementation choices at national level are too much influenced by the status quo option and not by paradigm change

This needs to change urgently and it requires better CAP design and implementation across the European Union

Sustainability Now ! A European Vision for Sustainability

Report coordinated by Mr Falkenberg, former DG Envi & adviser to Mr Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission

https://ec.europa.eu/epsc/publications/strategic-notes/sustainability-now_en

Sustainability Now ! (what does the « Falkenberg » report tell us?)

« Agro-ecology builds upon the natural synergies between plants,

animals, humans and their environment

« Agro-ecology also builds upon innovation ; is knowledge-

intensive »

« Agro-ecology is economically viable for those making the choice

to transform their production methods »

« It deserves full attention in a debate about transforming the Common Agricultural Policy. »

Recommendations for a CAP post-2020 debate based upon agroecology

1. Health centered food system

Improving the health of the EU' citizens must be a priority in developing policies, programs and funding of the EU and national governments

Level of food standards, impact of food on human health, food waste, access to food etc., are items that refer to food security but that are not so central to the CAP (vs direct payments)

Better consider the move towards a Common Food Systems policy framework in the EU (cf. JRC Foresight on food, IPES Food)

The driving principle of the CAP must be the relationship of food and ecologically sound agriculture to public health.

2. Support & upscale 'serious' agroecological approaches

Promote and scale up/scale out farming systems and agricultural techniques that prioritize protection of our environment so that the soil, air and water will be able to continue producing food long into the future.

« Greening » direct payments needs to be improved through serious and extra measures inc. crop rotation beyond 3 mandatory crops, agroforestry systems... ; no extra exemption for crop monocultures ; and ban pesticides on Ecological Focus Areas (which is not the case yet !)

Give priority to collective approaches & rural development: agroecology challenges cannot rely only on pionneers and individual behaviours > food chains & territory scale...

3. Foster community, regional prosperity and resilience

Enhance food security by strengthening the viability of small and medium-scale farms, and increasing appropriately scaled processing facilities, distribution networks, and direct marketing

Develop strategies that foster resilience, local innovation, and community development in both rural and urban economies

Opportunities that create fair wage jobs are key to a strong economy.

Strong focus on : renewal of farmers' generations, young people, unlocking access to land

4. System & multi-level approach in policymaking

Reduce silo-thinking of policies and programs, and to approach policy decisions by assessing their impact on all aspects of the food system including production, processing, distribution, trade, consumption, etc

Agroecological practices/approaches should be recognised and embedded into the CAP framework as a major contribution to food security, sustainable management of natural ressources and balanced territorial management

As the CAP is implemented by national governments, make mandatory participation of civil society in policymaking at national level; in that respect role of multi-actors platforms and new coalitions is essential

5. Provide enough financial provisions to fund the agroecological transition

Member States must reinforce their financial provisions to Rural Development programmes (inc. money transfer > from direct payments to rural development above 10% & incl. a minimum of 10% of RD spending on interactive innovation (i.e. EIP Agri)

Provide incentives (through higher co-funding rates for EU money) for innovation, collective mobilisation of farmers and other actors, agri-environmental and climate scheme, as well as for organic

Enable a more favourable institutional context that allows to invest more money in agroecology through contractual & collective arrangements and non area-based supports

Thank you for your attention!Thank you for your attention!

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