french environmental policies in agriculture: process, management, tools and actions toward doble...

French Ministry of agriculture [email protected]

Santiago 20-21 de agosto de 2014

French environemental policies in agriculture:

process, management, tools and actions

toward double performance

Agriculture in France: a quick overview

Cereals Fruit Fresh vegetable Wine Cow milk Cattle

68 Mt 2,5 Mt 5,5 Mt 41,3 Mhl 24,5 Mt 19,1 M têtes

• 66 million inhabitants, of which less than 1 million people live and work on farms FR (3.3% Full time equivalent employment)

• 64 million hectares (Mha)

• 51% of the territory = agricultural soils (= 36% cultivated land, grassland always = 15%)

• 31% of the metropolitan area = Wooded areas (17 Mha + 8 Mha of rainforest in Guyana)

• 1.8% GDP FR in 2012, € 35.8 billion in current prices = agriculture, forestry and fishing

Food production (food security and savety)

Non-food production (Bioeconomy, Energy)

Climate: mitigation and adaptation

Water quality (WFD, Nitrates Directive)

Biodiversity Conservation (Habitats Directive)

Soil quality, preservation of land & landscape

Air Quality (NEC Directive)

Territorial, economic development, jobs…

=> Goal: Comprehensive approach and "positive" for

high-performance systems - Ecosystems = inputs

Agriculture: what are the global issues at stake?

What agroecology is?

"Agroecology is to better understand the nature to help them use it" Olivier

de Schutter, Special Rapporteur of the United Nations for the right to food

• A science

Agro-ecology: application of ecological science to the study, design and

management of sustainable agricultural systems based on diverse practices

to optimize favorable natural production process and ensure the

sustainability of resources (Adapted from Gliessman, 2007. Wezel al 2009)

• A set of practices

Intensify production while respecting the natural balance by limiting the use

of chemical inputs and fossil fuels and focusing on recycling (Adapted from

Inter-Network, 2011)

• A social movement

A sustainable agriculture which is environmentally sound, economically

efficient, carrying a human development focused particular attention on food

security and the health of populations (AgriSud, 2010)

The two founding principles of agroecology

Increase biodiversity

• At the plot level: Promote heterogeneous crops

to limit the spread of biological aggressors

(varietal mixtures, combined cropping -cereals or

legumes grassland mixtures-)

• In multi-level plot: Diversify crops to create

heterogeneity in time and space (Diversifying

rotations, Introduction of legumes, Installing

agroecological infrastructure)

• At the production system: Increase the

diversity of productions to play on the

complementarities between them and self-

reliance on inputs (Fertilizing crops with livestock

manure, Contribution of food, fodder and litter by

the culture system)

• At the landscape level: Habitat for plant

species, Shelter and food for wildlife

Enhance biological

control

Optimize biological

interactions in

agroecosystems → foster

relationships between natural

populations to manage pests

(biological control) :

Encourage seed predation to

prevent weeds, Encourage

auxiliary ...

●Enhancement of the economic performance

of the farm

●Conservation of natural ressources (soil,

water, air) by efficient management of inputs

and energy => reliance on positive

interactions in the agricultural ecosystem

●Support of biodiversity and biological regulations

(agroecological infrastructures, diversification of crop

rotation, association of crop species and varieties...)

●Enhancement of self-reliance of animal

production systems (feed, sewage, health,

selection...)

●Basing farm development preferentially on an

systemic approach

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Agro-ecology: what are the issues at stake?

● The agro-ecological project seeks to answer to the many challenges

the French agriculture is facing and to provide an ambitious and

mobilising perspective

● The goal is to overcome the opposition between different

dimensions of agriculture and to promote solutions which combine

economic, environmental and sanitary as well as social performance

● It relies on learning from existing pilots & capitalization, on

knowledge transfer, training & learning, on incentives

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What are the aims of the agro-ecological Project for France?

September 2012 - 2013: driving forces with a strong

polical will and defini-tion of a new project for the

French agriculture

●September 2012: Launch of the agro-ecological project «Let’s produce

differently»

●December 2012 : National Conference and integration of the 7 existing action

programmes (action plan to reduce pesticides «Ecophyto», plan for biogas

derived from methanisation and nitrogen self-reliance «EMMA»,...)

●June 2013 : Reports of Agreenium (consortium for the international promotion

of French research and higher education in agricultural sciences [presented by

M. Guillou, INRA)]) and of the General Council of Agriculture, Agri-Food and

Forest (CGAAER); first meeting of the national Committee for Monitoring Agro-

Ecology

●INRA Conference on 17 October 2013: ambition of reaching a majority of

farms being engaged in agro-ecology by 2025

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How? Process

2014: onset of the project by co-construction with

the partners

●Beginning of 2014: outlining the project at the ministry for

agriculture (identification of «construction sites», courses of

action...)

●11 March 2014: first meeting of the steering committee of the

agro-ecology project (COPIL)

●Objective: definition of an action plan establishing the actions to

be carried out, assignment of their responsible managers as well

as definition of the timetable for their realisation

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How? Process

●National Policy and Monitoring Committee,

chaired by the Minister: 1-2 meetings per year

●Operational Steering Committee (COPIL): 4-5

meetings per year

●Specific work on each «construction site»

●Intention to co-construct => strong involvement of

the stakeholders and of administration at the

regional and departmental level

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How? Management of the project

What? Key features of the agro-ecological Project

●Systemic thinking: to take advantage of the positive

interactions and synergies at the level of the individual

farm as well as in its relationship with the surrounding

ecosystem, the region, the agri-food chain, etc.

●Agro-ecology is not a set of practices or recipies:

solutions will have to be diverse and adapted on a

case by case basis

●Collective dynamic is a key factor to support the

transition to agro-ecology

●It affects not only the farming practices but also the

agro-food chain and the rural and territory

development

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The «construction site» for the implementation of the

agro-ecological Project and the action plan

●Financial support of actions (in particular CAP aids)

●Assistance, teaching and training of farmers

●Criteria, monitoring and evaluation (criteria to identify farms

engaged in agro-ecology, monitoring and evaluation of the project, awareness

building and training of the ministerial staff …)

●Research and innovation conditions (Promotion of the

development of adapted breeds and varieties, promotion of reflection about agro-

ecology in the different agri-food sectors at national and regional levels)

●International (knowledge of the agro-ecological project and diffusion of

agroecology, cooperation)

●Overseas departments (adaptation to the conditions in overseas

departments)

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Financial support

• Adaptation of direct aids (first pillar of the EU

CAP) ●Implementation of coupled aids in favour of agro-ecology, especially aids for

protein crops

●The greening of the 1st pillar: feasibility of cooperative management of ecological

focus areas (EFA)

●Reform of the farm advisory system (FAS)

• Adaption of the public aid for rural development ● Taking into account of agro-ecology with regard to the criteria for modulation of

installation aids

● Taking into account of agro-ecology with regard to the orientation of the plan for

competition and adaptation of farms

● Guidance and mobilisation in the context of the new agri-environment-climate

measures (AECM): systemic measures in favor of sustanable management of

natural ressources (water, biodiversity,…) => in favor of adaptation to CC

● Specific measures to promote and maintain Agroforestry, organic production…

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Assistance, teaching and training of farmers

● A new tool with the creation of Economic and

environmental interest grouping (GIEE): Recognition of a

collective project which seeks double performance ; Grouping of farmers, collective dynamic ;

Coming from farmers themselves ; Non-farmers are partners ; Recognition of the project at

regional level (cf. The draft law for the future in agriculture,

agrofoof and forestry must be adopted in coming

september)

● Revisitation of teaching standards and practice (cf.

action 1 in the national plan for adaptation to climate

change also)…

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Research and innovation

• Mobilize the European Innovation Partnership (EIP)

for a productive and sustainable agriculture (botton-

up approach)

• Toward a research which meet beeton social

demand and family agriculture needs

International ● France is really involved in the international year for family farming:

34 countries (cf. Chile, Brazil, Argentine) and the FAO have endorsed the

ministerial statement of support for family farming (cf International

agriculture show – February 24 2014)

• France support the organization by the FAO of the coming seminar on

agroecology

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At the political level:

• UN headquarters summit – September 23, 2014, New York, USA

http://www.un.org/climatechange/summit/

• UNFCCC COP 21/ CMP 11 - Twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties and the eleventh

session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol –

November 30-December 11, 2015, Bourget, Paris

https://unfccc.int/meetings/unfccc_calendar/items/2655.php?year=2015

http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/politique-etrangere-de-la-france/environnement-et-

developpement/conference-paris-climat-2015-cop21/

www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/document147424

At the scientific level:

• International Symposium on Agroecology for Food and Nutrition Security, September 18-19, 2014,

Rome, Italia

http://www.fao.org/about/meetings/afns/es/

• 3rd International Conference on Biodiversity and the UN Millennium Development Goals - October 29-31,

2014, Aix-en-Provence, France

http://biodiv2014.sciencesconf.org/

• Climate smart agriculture; global science conference – March 16-18, 2015, Montpellier, France

http://csa2015.cirad.fr/index.php/csa2015

• International scientific conference entitled « Our Common Future under Climate Change » - July 7-10,

Paris, France

http://www.commonfuture-paris2015.org/about-the-conference

Coming events: save the date!

http://www.un.org/climatechange/summit/

https://unfccc.int/meetings/unfccc_calendar/items/2655.php?year=2015

http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/politique-etrangere-de-la-france/environnement-et-developpement/conference-paris-climat-2015-cop21/





















http://www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/document147424





http://biodiv2014.sciencesconf.org/












Conclusion

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● A mobilising project for the French agriculture

● To produce better and more, combining economic, environmental and social performance (holistic approach) at farm level as well as territorial level

● Success factors :

– Co-construction with the stakeholders, mobilisation of all stakeholders, at each level

– Definition of measurable objectives

– Importance of regional and local dynamics

– Integration of the entire value-chain, including the agri-food sector

MAAF : http://agriculture.gouv.fr/Changement-climatique-2568

MEDDE/ONERC : http://www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/-Impacts-et-adaptation-ONERC-.html

Agence européenne de l'environnement

http://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/climate/national-adaptation-strategies

Universcience : http://www.universcience.fr/climobs/

GIEC (5ème rapport) : http://www.ipcc.ch/

J. -F. SOUSSANA, « S'adapter au changement climatique : Agriculture, écosystèmes et territoires »,

(2013), Quae

Climator - livre vert (2010) : http://www.avignon.inra.fr/cours_en_ligne_climator

Agence de l'Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l'Energie

http://www.pcet-ademe.fr/content/clarification-des-concepts

Annales des mines « responsabilité et environnement » n°59 (juillet 2010) et n°56 (octobre 2009)

B. SEGUIN, « Coup de chaud sur l’agriculture », (2010), Delachaux et Niestlé

Courrier de la Planète n°89/90 (janvier – juin 2009) : Changement climatique ; s'adapter maintenant

P. RADANNE, « perception des enjeux et l'évolution des comportements face au réchauffement

climatique », (2007)

For more information:

http://www.universcience.fr/climobs/

http://www.universcience.fr/climobs/

http://www.ipcc.ch/

http://www.ipcc.ch/

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Agroforestry

Pig farming with straw

Crops rotation and association

replacing external fertilizer

Towards Forrage autonomy of

cattle breeding

Collective training and

transfer of knowledge

Organic farming Local markets of quality

products

Use of biomass for

energy and bioeconomy

Thank you for your attention!

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A new Draft Law

● Currently examined by the Parliament

● To be adopted at last in Autumn 2014

● 1st article (framing article) refers to competitiveness and ecological transition

● 1st article gives a definition of agroecology

● Adressed issues: economic and environmental performance, preservation of agricultural land & installation,food policy & health security, agricultural teaching, forest management ...

●

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A new tool : creation of Economic and environmental interest grouping (GIEE)

● Recognition of a collective project which seeks double performance

● Grouping of farmers, collective dynamic

● Coming from farmers themselves ; Non-farmers are partners

● Recognition of the project at regional level

● Overaching criteria and governance : currently designed at the national level (within a multi-stakeholder working group)

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– The working areas for the implementation of the agro-ecological Project and the action plan

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Working areas

● Financial support of actions (in particular CAP aids)

● Assistance, teaching and training of farmers

● Criteria, monitoring and evaluation (criteria to identify farms

engaged in agro-ecology, monitoring and evaluation of the project, awareness

building and training of the ministerial staff …)

● Research and innovation conditions (Promotion of the

development of adapted breeds and varieties, promotion of reflection about

agro-ecology in the different agri-food sectors at national and regional levels)

● International (knowledge of the agro-ecological project and diffusion of

agroecology, cooperation)

● Overseas departments (adaptation to the conditions in overseas

departments)

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1- Financial support of actions

• Adaptation of the public aid for rural development

(second pillar of the EU CAP)

● Substantial public support for new agri-environment-

climate measures (AECM) and for organic farming

● Taking into account of agro-ecology with regard to the

criteria for modulation of installation aids

● Taking into account of agro-ecology in the Plan for

competition and adaptation of farms

● ...

●Cooperation with the regional authorities in order to take agro-

ecology into account in the rural development programmes

(RDP, set up by the CAP)

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1- Financial support for actions

• Adaptation of direct aids (first pillar of the EU CAP)

● Implementation of coupled aids in favour of agro-ecology, especially aids for protein crops

● Feasibility of cooperative management of ecological focus areas (EFA)

● Reform of the farm advisory system (FAS)

...

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2- Assistance and training of farmers

Mobilisation of agricultural development (1/2)

●Creation of local dynamics for innovation

●Call for proposals funded by the « CASDAR » budget.

●2013 : call for proposal « Collective mobilisation

towards agroecology »

- for a budget of 6,7 million euros - preparing the way for the coming economic and environmental interest groupings (EEIGs)- April 2014 : 2nd National Conference Sharing knowledge and experiences

- 103 pilot projects selected all over France (3300 farms)

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...

• Mobilisation of agricultural development (2/2)

● Mobilisation of the chambers of agriculture to assist

farmers in their steps towards to agro-ecology

● Mobilisation of organisations of agricultural and rural

development (ONVAR)

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• Revisitation of teaching standards and practice

• 3 Avril 2014 : Publication of the Action Plan « Teaching to produce differently »

• Revisitation of technical and

economic standards & exploring the

dynamics of change

• Development of regional strategies

Education of teachers in agricultural technical

vocational training

Mobilise the model farms of the institutions for

agricultural education