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AREFLH Assembly of the European

Regions producing Fruit, Vegetables and Ornamental

Plants www.areflh.org

AREFLH, Asembly of European Regions producing Fruit, Vegetable and Ornamental plants 2

AREFLH, Asembly of European Regions producing Fruit, Vegetable and Ornamental plants 3

Sommaire EDITO ................................................................................................................................................................... 4

Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 6

1- ASSESSMENT OF INTEGRATED FARMING IN FRANCE..................................................................................... 7

A general framework for integrated farming in France ..................................................................................... 8

Les chartes françaises par produit .................................................................................................................... 9

Apples and Pears ......................................................................................................................................... 10

Peach and Nectarine ................................................................................................................................... 11

Strawberry .................................................................................................................................................. 13

Tomato and Cucumber ................................................................................................................................ 14

Cherry and table grapes .............................................................................................................................. 15

Plum ............................................................................................................................................................ 17

Melon .......................................................................................................................................................... 17

An example of collective and regional iniciative in Brittany ............................................................................. 17

The many "Integrated Production” reference documents on the environment and other methods ................ 19

FARRE .......................................................................................................................................................... 19

Quali’Terre .................................................................................................................................................. 19

AgriConfiance .............................................................................................................................................. 19

GlobalGAP ................................................................................................................................................... 20

2- ASSESSMENT OF INTEGRATED PRODUCTION IN SPAIN ................................................................................ 20

Andalusia ..................................................................................................................................................... 23

Aragon ......................................................................................................................................................... 24

Catalonia ..................................................................................................................................................... 25

Extremadura ................................................................................................................................................ 26

Murcia ......................................................................................................................................................... 27

Castilla and Leon ......................................................................................................................................... 28

Galicia ......................................................................................................................................................... 28

La Rioja ........................................................................................................................................................ 29

Navarre ....................................................................................................................................................... 30

Basque Country ........................................................................................................................................... 30

3- ASSESSMENT OF INTEGRATED PRODUCTION IN ITALY..................................................................................... 32

The strategy put in place ................................................................................................................................. 32

Emilia-Romagna........................................................................................................................................... 34

Piedmont ..................................................................................................................................................... 36

Tuscany ....................................................................................................................................................... 37

Bolzano ....................................................................................................................................................... 38

Trento ......................................................................................................................................................... 39

Basilicate ..................................................................................................................................................... 39

Veneto......................................................................................................................................................... 40

3- INTEGRATED PRODUCTION IN BELGIUM ......................................................................................................... 41

Principles of integrated cultivation : ................................................................................................................ 42

Integrated crop protection : ............................................................................................................................ 42

4- IP IN PORTUGAL .............................................................................................................................................. 43

AREFLH, Asembly of European Regions producing Fruit, Vegetable and Ornamental plants 4

EDITO

By Marco CESTARO – President of the Sustainable Development Commission at

AREFLH.

The Integrated production: a tool which guarantees the sustainability of the production of

fruit and vegetables and the safety of the consumers.

For several years of multiple public and private international initiatives, have aroused a growing interest with regard to better eating habits. Facing the constant increase in obesity and overweight, the World Health Organization recommends the consumption of more than 400 grams of fruit and vegetables per day, and underlines the great difference that has been observed between the various Member States of the European Union which, in many cases, are lower at the level recommended.

It became strategic to promote the consumption of fruit and vegetables, by drawing the attention of the consumers to the characteristics of the products in nutritional and organoleptic terms but also on the systems of production implemented. They should be respectful of the environment and of the consumer health.

The consumer requires precise guaranties when choosing products:

a high degree of food safety (health and hygiene), contents of quality (nutritional and taste), no GMO, pesticide residues or nitrates obtained by cultivation systems with low environmental impact.

To meet these expectations, the qualification and rationalization of the agricultural techniques led to the definition of environment-friendly practices. Their base is the integrated production. These practices find today their application within the framework of the reference Community legislation, which helps with its promotion and implementation by various financial incentives.

The integrated production represents a system of specific rules to each culture, applied at various stages of the production of a vegetable food. It is characterized by a weak environmental impact.

All the information related to the growing methods are recorded on registers, and can, consequently, always be checked for conformity.

However, the integrated production is facing some external factors:

the risk of pesticide residues on the fruit and vegetables

INTEGRATED PRODUCTION

AREFLH, Asembly of European Regions producing Fruit, Vegetable and Ornamental plants 5

the European revision policy of the authorized active substances many different requirements imposed by the distribution.

The use of the active substances present in the pesticides for the pest-destroying fight is regulated by the European Union (DG Sanco) which determines for each culture and each active substance the maximum limit of residues authorized (LMR). When this limit is respected, the consumer is safe.

Recently, the DG Sanco finished the evaluation of the active substances contained in phytosanitary products. This work involved the revision of approximately 1,000 substances. It resulted in the progressive withdrawal from the market of some 700 chemical molecules. This revision involved for various products a significant reduction of the fields of application and a limitation of the maximum number of treatments carried out during the year. This question had little impact on the cultures following integrated production practices, which respect very strict and selective criteria.

However, the significant reduction of authorized active substances is a serious subject of concern, especially for the “minor cultures” and the Mediterranean cultures. Above all, if they are not replaced by new ones with an equal effectiveness and toxicological profiles that are compatible with the new rules

But this drastic revision is not a sufficient guarantee for the trade, which has increasingly strict requests. Purchasing groups impose to the suppliers schemes of supply characterized by a specific environmental value (GlobalGap, BRC, YEWS, Nature Choice, etc). Some of these requests appear excessive. To require a level of residues in the products not exceeding a third of the level of the LMR does not take account of the limit fixed by the law calculated to ensure the safety of the consumers. To limit the presence of active substances (3 to 5) cancels the principle of the production integrated which is to alternate the products used to avoid the accumulation of residues and the pest resistance.

Moreover the integrated production defines the operational rules for the principal production stages process like the fertilization and the irrigation. For the fertilization, a rational management of the contributions of the three macronutrients allowing a good nutritional balance is applied in order to obtain a reduction of the chemical inputs of energy consumption and costs.

The fruit and vegetables production is particularly demanding in water. It is facing the risk of water scarcity, especially with the growing need of the urban populations and other economic activities. The rule of water management in integrated production is based on the concept of water use in sufficient quantity and at the right moment by using highly effectiveness irrigation systems.

For these reasons AREFLH has analyzed the various guidelines that are followed in some European countries. This work did not lead to the development of integrated production European standards, as we would have liked, but it contributed to the recognition by the EU of this system of production and it allowed a greater coherence of the application.

Also, it must be said that functionning in line with sustainable production systems generates employment and professional trainings which gives a social dimension. In fact the attention of the consumers at the time of the decision of purchase, is drawn to concepts of social responsibility and product environmental impact.

In this context it is also necessary to evoke the recent Community measures, such as the “green ing” of the future CAP and the directive on “the sustainable use of phytosanytary products” which urges the producers to find right the balance between nature and technology, the best relation between the social and ecological needs.

As a consequence, to allow a better recognition of fruit and vegetables nutritional and ecological values it is important to emphasize the techniques and the practices that were used to produce them.

AREFLH, Asembly of European Regions producing Fruit, Vegetable and Ornamental plants 6

Introduction

The European fruit and vegetable sector is amongst the most important crop productions, with 16% of the total value of agricultural produce.

In order to meet the expectations of society and environmental challenges, for more than 20 years producers have developed eco-friendly production strategies.

It is also about the preservation of their own work tool, orchards and vegetable crops.

Today, organic farming and integrated production account for over 70% of European fruit and vegetables with this figure increasing year by year.

A recent survey, conducted by the AREFLH on the application of integrated production, highlighted that in the main producing regions such a production system concerned an area of 360,000 hectares.

Integrated production, the use of alternative techniques such as biological control or use of ecological compensation areas, are popular because these methods can be just as effective from and agronomic perspective and environmentally friendly.

Integrated production "integrates" all these elements for farmers, their employees, the environment and the consumer in a highly competitive economic environment.

It is suitable for various regional climatic conditions within national and regional regulations.

En effet, en réduisant ou en rationalisant la répartition des engrais azotés - aspect central des règles de

AREFLH proposal

Unfortunately, at present, there is no single scheme governing the integrated production in the different European territories, with its various operators and different market models.

It has then appeared interesting to establish a single model and recognized integrated production. To develop all of these approaches, the AREFLH suggested to the European Union Commission to acknowledge a single guideline, a disciplinary synthesis which is required by producers across Europe. Alongside organic production, integrated production is the production method of the future, and all productions have full traceability from producer to distributor.

Protecting their products against diseases and pests in the context of climate change and extremes are more and more frequent, while preserving biodiversity, quality, sustainability of soil and air quality are all challenges

LA PRODUCTION INTÉGRÉE

AREFLH, Asembly of European Regions producing Fruit, Vegetable and Ornamental plants 7

that producers are daily faced with. Practical experience and research innovations have enabled them to make significant progress.

The Fruit and vegetables produced according to the of integrated production system are accurately checked on the whole management process of the culture and post-harvest. AREFLH estimates that such a cultivation system is compatible with the most recent Community positioning on food safety and environmental sustainability.

The integrated Production within the framework of the recent Community positioning

EU regulations are more and more focused on law measures which aim at finding the right balance between nature and technology, the best harmony between the social, economic and ecological needs while ensuring food safety for the consumers.

The future Common Agricultural Policy (PAC) and the “greening” of the assistances provide a complementary help to the farms which respect specific obligations of great ecological value. Within this framework, it is necessary that the European Union to took into account the equivalent in term of environmental obligations between measure of CAP “greening” and those contained in environmental measures of the operational programmes of the fruit and vegetables OCM (reg. THIS 1234/2007) and of Rural development (reg. THIS 1698/1605).

The regulation 2009/128/CE of the European Parliament and the Council (21st oct 2009) creatres a framework for the sustainable use of the phytopharmacological products. It involves farmer’s obligation to introduce (starting from January 1st, 2014) the implementation of the integrated fight against the cultures pests. This provision of the law also introduces alternative agricultural practices such as crop rotation, resistant or tolerant varieties, an optimized management of the cultivation system which contributes to a reduction of the chemical inputs. Each Member State of the EU will have to set up national action plans (NAP).

The regulation n° 852/2004 of the European Parliament and the Council of April 29th, 2004 relating to the hygiene of the foodstuffs, aims at regulating the food supply chain in all the processes thanks to integrated systems of control up to the finished product. The primary production of food, including the production of fruit and vegetables, must guarantee the traceability at all the stages by the precise recording of the cultivation methods required in the various specifications. An effective traceability system makes it possible to identify and contain a possible situation of risks for food safety.

It has become essential that the fruit and vegetables companies used techniques and practices respectful of the environment.

1- ASSESSMENT OF INTEGRATED FARMING1 IN

FRANCE

In Europe there are numerous terminologies which are used to describe patterns of environmentally friendly production. From "Integrated Protection" against crop pests which was released by the IOBC in the 1960s, we have gradually taken into account all the agricultural practices that are potentially harmful to the environment. From this comes the concept of Integrated Production (IP).

1 The FARRE website indicates that the term "Agriculture Raisonnée" is the French translation of the concept "Integrated Farming" in English.

http://www.farre.org/index.php?id=93

AREFLH, Asembly of European Regions producing Fruit, Vegetable and Ornamental plants 8

Integrated Production is a farming system that produces high quality food and other products by using natural resources and regulating mechanisms to replace polluting inputs and to secure sustainable farming. (IOBC WPRS-1993). Emphasis is placed

on a holistic systems approach involving the entire farm as the basic unit, on the central role of agro-ecosystems, on balanced nutrient cycles, and on the welfare of all species in animal husbandry.

The preservation and improvement of soil fertility, of a diversified environment and the observation of ethical and social criteria are essential components. Biological, technical and chemical methods are balanced carefully taking into account the protection of the environment, profitability and social requirements. Many reference documents on “Integrated Fruit Production” (IFP) have been developed in France and in Europe mainly by IOBC guidelines. In the absence of a national regulatory definition, "private" definitions have emerged at different levels which have been made especially for inter-branch organizations led by producers. For example, FARRE in France and LEAF8 in the UK, regional authorities, such as in Italy and Spain, as well as a growing number more by distributors. They take the form of simple reference documents or norms. At the request of the ministry for French Agriculture, in the opinion given in June 1999, the assimilation of the integrated production into reasoned agriculture is ratified and a definition of the concept is proposed: reasoned agriculture “aims at controlling the impact of the agricultural production activity on the environment” - and not the effect of the environment on the agricultural production, i.e. on the product, so that reasoned agriculture is different from the certification of product. This standpoint thus prohibits its use in labeling

A general framework for integrated farming in France

Integrated Farming Reference Document

An Integrated Farming reference document was published by the French Ministry of Agriculture. On the website agriculture.gouv.fr/agriculture-raisonnee you can find the following French documents :

Decree n° 2004-293 of 26th March 2004 relating to the conditions on using the term “integrated farming”

Decree n° 2002-631 of 25th April 2002 relating to the certification of agricultural farms under “integrated farming”

Order of 30th Avril 2002 relating to the integrated farming reference document (PDF - 47.1 ko) Modified by the order of 20th April 2005

There are also other documents regarding the Commission nationale de l’agriculture raisonnée (National Integrated Farming Commission) and certification of farms (CNAR). The CNAR's mission is to advise on matters relating to sustainable agriculture referred to by the ministers responsible for agriculture and consumption, and to make suggestions which are likely to contribute to the proper functioning, development and enhancement of Integrated Farming. It consists of two sections. The reference document’s exam section provides advice on national and regional requirements from the integrated farming reference document and also on the evolution of these desirable

AREFLH, Asembly of European Regions producing Fruit, Vegetable and Ornamental plants 9

specifications. Certifying bodies’ authorization section provides advice on applications for accreditation and renewal of accreditation.

Environmental certification

This new certification has recently been invented and can be found on the website agriculture.gouv.fr/Certification-environnementale-des,16358 where details are provided on four areas:

1. How is the environmental certification implemented ? A national environmental certification commission (CNCE) was created and is composed of representatives of the State, agricultural unions, approved associations for the protection of the environment, the food industry and distribution and consumer organizations. The CNCE in particular defined control plans showing the precise framework allowing the certification of farms for each level of the system.

Plan de controle-niveau 2 (25_10_2011) (PDF - 334.7 ko) Plan de controle-niveau 3-option A (25-10-2011) (PDF - 360.4 ko)

et tableau de calcul des indicateurs - Version 3 (Excel - 219.5 ko) Plan de controle-niveau 3-option B (25-10-2011) (PDF - 195.8 ko)

et tableau de calcul des indicateurs (Excel - 101 ko) 2. How can a farmer obtain a certification? 3. How can an environmental approach become a candidate for recognition at level 2? 4. How does a certifying body apply to be approved by the Ministry of Agriculture?

EcophytoPIC: a ministerial web gate for the cultures integrated protection

The ministry for Agriculture has just put on line EcophytoPIC, an internet gate for the integrated protection of the cultures. It is supported by the ACTA (Association of Agricultural Technical Coordination), the agricultural technical institutes, the Chambers of Agriculture, etc…

Its objective is to put together the references and knowledge available on the subject of the Integrated Protection of the Cultures (PIC in French) in order to raise awareness among the professionals of the agricultural sector and to have the practices evolve towards a reduction phytopharmacological products use.

On this site gathers all kinds of information on the integrated protection.

National “Integrated Production” Charters for the main fruit and vegetable sectors:

In France the main F & V sectors are involved in a continuous improvement process where IP has been an important part for more than 10 years. Others are just beginning. This results in validation at a national level (FAM). For each product, an Integrated Production Charter has become a Quality Charter. Requirements to be met are updated regularly and controls are put in place.

As part of their commitment, producers may receive aid under the producer organization’s operational plan where lump sums are allowed.

Les chartes françaises par produit

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Apples and Pears

Actors and Partners Involved

All French growers are members of the Association Nationale Pommes et Poires (ANPP) (National Apple and Pear Association.) To find out more, go to the website www.pommespoires.fr Objectives and Strategy

For over 10 years, apple growers in France are engaged in a continuous improvement process which complies with the principles of Integrated Fruit Production (IFP). This guarantees that the fruits grown and the people who produce and consume them are in accordance with the environment. Members of the ANPP have a goal of economic development and share ways to:

Know and understand the national and export markets.

Expand consumption and knowledge of apples and pears in all aspects by the consumer.

General Rules

The IFP Charter was created in 1997 but is now called the Charte Qualité des Pomiculteurs de France (Quality Charter for French Growers). This Charter is owned by the ANPP and only its members can claim to be approved according to this discipline. Compliance is controlled by the external monitoring body and it will be accredited according to EN 45011. Click here for the Charte Qualité des Pomiculteurs de France (2011), with the list for the list of requirements for the Charte Qualité (2012) published and updated by the ANPP.

Their brand identification as "Vergers écoresponsables" (Eco-friendly Orchards) is based on 3 pillars :

Environmental

The Quality Charter requires growers to monitor supervised, environmentally -friendly practices and the health of growers and consumers. It provides much-needed guarantees such as apples of French origin, maintaining the natural balance in the orchard and the traceability of fruit from the orchard to the consumer. An external and independent monitoring body controls the compliance of these practices.

Social

Fruit from the "vergers écoresponsables" are grown in France, in compliance with the men and women who produce them. They are hand-picked by skilled workers who benefit from social and health protection under French law.

Economic

Growers in France must be able to live off their work to ensure the sustainability of the French orchard and to protect food self-sufficiency in France. This production provides stable and seasonal jobs to help maintain the rural economy.

www.lapomme.org/production/charte.php

Surface area, volume, producers involved

There are 1500 producers who are members of the Association Nationale Pommes Poires (ANPP) and who are involved in the Integrated Fruit Production Charter. They represent 860 000 tons of apples and 35 000 tons of pears.

Les acteurs et les partenaires engagés

Tous les arboriculteurs français, membres de l’Association Nationale Pommes et Poires (ANPP). Pour en savoir plus sur l’ANPP : www.pommespoires.fr

AREFLH, Asembly of European Regions producing Fruit, Vegetable and Ornamental plants 11

Objectifs et Stratégie

Since September 2010, "Vergers écoresponsables" has become the identity of fruits coming from orchards involved in the Charte Qualité des Pomiculteurs de France. This new logo makes it more obvious about their involvement and marks a renewal of the ANPP’s communication strategy.

The new campaign which relies on the knowledge of French growers is marked:

"Travailler avec la nature, c'est notre métier" (Working with nature is our business).

Apples produced by “vergers écoresponsables” are identified on certain products by clear signage.

Peach and Nectarine

Actors and Partners Involved

All the Peach and Nectarine producers are members of the Association d’Organisations de Producteurs (AOPN Pêche et Nectarines) (Association of Producer Organizations for Peaches and Nectarines). To find out more on the AOPN go to: www.pechesdenosregions.fr

Objectives and Strategy

The approach has the following objectives:

Contribute to the improvement of grower’s and their partner’s practices, producer organizations and to private marketing companies

Move towards harmonizing cultivation techniques used in orchards to ensure both the protection of the environment and food safety, and the security of users.

Highlight the efforts of growers who use these techniques for consumers in France and abroad. General Rules :

All the producer organizations adhering to the AOP Pêche et Nectarine also adhere to the Charte nationale de Production Intégrée des Producteurs de Pêches et Nectarines (National Charter of Integrated Fruit Production for Peach and Nectarine Producers) are online, on AREFLH site:

www.areflh.org/images/stories/PDF/Dossiers/Protection_des_plantes/Production_integree/Charte_PFI_AOP_PN_2012.pdf

They also work around a list of requirements updated annually (version 2012) :

AREFLH, Asembly of European Regions producing Fruit, Vegetable and Ornamental plants 12

www.areflh.org/images/stories/PDF/Dossiers/Protection_des_plantes/Production_integree/checklist_AOP_2012_PN.pdf

At the initiative of the AOPN producers and technicians working in the peach and nectarine sector, this Charter is based on references acquired in regional charters which are already implemented in French production basins and aims to build an establishment on an environmental, social and economic level.

Environmental

Producers implement supervised practices such as maintaining the biodiversity in orchards, limiting the use of synthetic products, or limiting the impact on water and soil pollution. Farms are certified "Global Gap," and the vast majority of packing stations are certified "IFS", "BRC" or other environmental, qu ality and method references adopted by many distributors.

Social

The “vergers écoresponsables” also means that farms respect the men and women who work there. The fruit is hand-picked by skilled workers who benefit from social and health protection under French law.

Economic

Requiring agricultural skills and advanced techniques, the fruit sector is one of the largest employers of agricultural labor in France. With its 15 000 hectares, the peach production sector employs from 15 000 to 20 000 permanent or seasonal employees, direct or indirect in France.

Surface area, volume, producers involved:

Representing nearly 70% of organized production, that is 140 000 tons of fruit, 6000 hectares of orchards, and 500 producers, the AOP Pêches et Nectarines de France brings together 21 principle makers with 18 producer organizations representing 512 producers, stemming from 4 major producing regions : The Rhone Valley, Crau, Gard and Roussillon.

Communication and Promotion Programme

Since 2011, "les Pêches de nos Régions" (Peaches from our Regions) are associated with a new brand identity "Vergers éco-responsables ".

Together, they communicate to the consumer using the signs "Pêche de nos Régions" and the "vergers éco-responsables" logo.

Buying French peaches and nectarines from "vergers écoresponsables" is therefore an act of citizenship!

This is to ensure each actor can make a living from their work by selling their produce at a fair price without violating production processes and respecting all stages (quality control, traceability) which guarantees the excellence of peaches and nectarines from our regions.

AREFLH, Asembly of European Regions producing Fruit, Vegetable and Ornamental plants 13

Strawberry

Actors and Partners Involved :

All the strawberry producers are members of the Association d’Organisations de Producteurs Nationale Fraise (AOPn) (National Association for Producer Organizations of Strawberries) are on the website: fraisesdefrance.fr/laopn-fraise/

Objectives and Strategy :

The objectives of the AOPn for strawberries are to sustain and develop the production of strawberries whilst complying with the Charte Nationale Fraise (National Charter for Strawberries) and providing consumers with quality varieties.

The Charte Nationale Fraise (CNF) is set up at the initiative of professionals gathered in the National AOP for strawberries.

It is a sustainable and progressive tool which will integrate future progress techniques (Improvement Plan)

It covers all methods of production It aims to promote and enhance the quality and environmental practices of the national strawberry

production It is intended to provide guarantees to customers and consumers on the commitments of the

profession in terms of food security, environmental compliance, product quality and traceability.

General Rules :

The Charte Nationale Fraise (CNF) sets technical requirements (obligations) and defines an improvement plan (recommendations) for the major key stages of strawberry production. Le Comité Charte Nationale Fraise (National Charter Committee for Strawberries) leads this process including:

The regular updating of the Charter in relation to particular technical progress Participation in the development of training tools and raising awareness about integrated production

and environmental practices for producers and technicians Management of producer’s commitments Monitoring the application of the Charter by the operators involved. For this, it applies :

A plan for internal control

An external audit carried out by an independent body

A list of sanctions

A monitoring program in compliance with the maximal residue limit

The CNF Committee gathers together at least once a year and is made up of members from the AOP Strawberry quality group, extending to industry representatives and experts if necessary. Membership to this Charter is voluntary for each producer. Surface area, volume and producers involved

500 French producers are members of the National AOP for Strawberries which represents 40% of the French production.

Communication and Promotion Programme

AREFLH, Asembly of European Regions producing Fruit, Vegetable and Ornamental plants 14

There is no specific Integrated Fruit Production communication programme but there is general promotion on the varieties of strawberries and the quality.

Tomato and Cucumber

Actors and Partners Involved :

The AOPn - Association d’Organisations de Producteurs nationale "Tomates et Concombres de France" (National Association of Producer Organization’s for French Tomatoes and Cucumbers) has more than 1 000 producers all over France. www.tomates-de-france.com Objectives and Strategy :

Using a Quality Charter, professionals share their expertise, commitment to the environment, quality, taste and the variety of their products. For these crops, integrated farming has become an inevitable reality. In an increasingly competitive context, extending this practice will enable it to distinguish itself by a brilliant quality as well as bringing new dynamic sales to the French market as well as international. General Rules :

Two National Quality Charters were published : one for the tomato and the other for the cucumber, with a summary of requirements for each one.

Charter for tomatoes Summary of Requirements for the Charter of French tomatoes Charter for cucumbers Summary of Requirements for the Charter of French cucumbers

They are the result of the tomato and cucumber sector’s desire to step up the efforts to offer the consumer a quality product. They rely in particular on the concept of integrated production and the method of production that aims to produce crops which are more environmentally friendly. The French producers commit to using production techniques using control inputs and waste. This commitment is based on four points :

The development of organic and integrated protection forms the basis of the process. The protection of water resources.

AREFLH, Asembly of European Regions producing Fruit, Vegetable and Ornamental plants 15

Controlled development and disposal of crop refuse.

The use of good hygiene practices in production and during packaging. Logos guaranteeing consumers…

Quality tomatoes and cucumbers grown in Organic and Integrated Protection in accordance with the specifications signed by 1 000 producers

Products that are healthy, fresh, nature-friendly and harvested at maturity.

A varied range throughout the year : cherry, cocktail, round, vine, ribbed and old variety tomatoes; graded cucumbers… all shapes and flavours.

Minimal transportation of goods and freshness is preserved: 3 large production areas spread throughout France so that delivery from greenhouses to distribution sites can be done in less than 48 hours.

Rigorous quality controls: after picking, the cucumbers and tomatoes are inspected, sorted, graded and weighed. Only the trays with products that comply with the Quality Charter are stamped with "Concombres de France" and "Tomates de France" logos.

Surface area, volume and producers involved :

This association has 27 members including 1 000 producers in total who have signed up to the Quality Charter to offer consumers quality products. They ensure the production of 230 000 tons of tomatoes and the 60 000 tons of cucumbers per year, on about 1 000 hectares. Figures for tomatoes are :

25 producer organisations 250 000 tons of tomatoes per year 700 hectares 5th European producer 70% of the national production 20% of tomatoes exported 5 000 permanent jobs 15 000 indirect jobs €350 million turnover

Figures for cucumbers are :

15 producer organisations 60 000 tons of cucumbers per year 150 hectares 5th European producer 70% of the national production

5 000 tons of cucumbers exported 1 000 permanent jobs 2 500 indirect jobs €45 million turnover

Communication and promotion programme

Joint communication under the banner :

No specific communication linked to Integrated Fruit Production but there is an overall communication on product quality.

Cherry and table grapes

Actors and partners involved:

AREFLH, Asembly of European Regions producing Fruit, Vegetable and Ornamental plants 16

The producers of cherry of table who are members of the AOP Cherries of France and the table grapes producers members of the AOP table grapes have a relevant tool, allowing them to face the economic and environmental issues. The charter offers all the guarantees for consumers satisfaction.

Objectives and Strategy:

The principles of PFI lead the producer to think and “of reasoned” in order to optimize the factors of production by a rigorous management of the exploitation with a few aims:

to decrease input use at a strictly necessary level, thus preserving the environment, while limiting the costs of intervention

to produce fruit of quality by developing the potentialities of the orchard and the soil in which they are produced

to satisfy and guarantee the request of the direct customers and the ultimate consumers in search of healthy and tasty fruit, produced under environment-friendly conditions

to adapt the tree-growing exploitations to the evolution of the market demand, while placing them under the best technical requirements in order to face competition.

Common rules

Two Charters of Integrated Fruit Production were implemented by each sector (grapes and cherries) to develop environment-friendly production techniques. These specifications define the best adapted technical routes to obtain a healthy and qualitaty production even after harvest.

The charter of integrated Production Table grapes The charter of integrated Production Cherry

Surfaces, volumes, producers concerned:

The AOP Cerises of France was created in 2009 by 8 Producers' organizations. It gathers more than 600 French cherry producers. Being in full development, the AOP doubled its number of members since its creation and counts today 16 members. It presents nearly 55% of the national production and plays an important economic part within the sector.

The AOP Table grapes was created in 2009 by 7 Producers' organizations and gathers more than 200 French grape producers. It represents thus nearly 70% of the national production and also plays an important economic part within the sector.

Program communication and of promotion

Together, they communicate to the consumer under the logos:

AREFLH, Asembly of European Regions producing Fruit, Vegetable and Ornamental plants 17

Plum

A Charte Nationale de Production Intégrée Prune (National Integrated Production Charter for Plums) by AOPN Prune and the Comité du pruneau (Plum Committee) was published in 2012.

Melon

An Integrated Production Charter for Melon has recently been published (in 2012) but has not yet been applied. This document can be used as specifications document (with the agreement of the AIM which, through the Technical Committee, has elaborated this document)

An example of collective and regional iniciative in Brittany

The Quality Environnement policy put in work by AOP CERAFEL relates to all the producers.

Objectives and strategy:

Its objective is to guarantee food safety of the products put on the market and to develop environment-friendly practices, as much at the production level as for conditioning and transformation activities.

The producers must: respect the product and the transverse specifications, apply measured levels of fertilization and a reasoned plant protection, resort as far as possible to alternative techniques of crop protection, record all the interventions carried out on the grounds and cultures, fill in the declarations of surfaces, forecasts, quantities and marketing.

For more detail on the approach: see the site

Common rules:

Produced specifications Defined by each section, the rules for the various productions are registered in the specifications document communicated to the producers before each campaign.

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Approachs of certification AOP CERAFEL also supports and helps with the quality approachs such as Agri-Confidence, GlobalGap, that are installed in the Producers' organizations. For that, it carries out the documents fixing the obligatory applicable base to any produce r, coordinates the campaign analysis of residues and punctually carries out studies necessary to the Producers' organizations. The diary “Environment-Quality” The diary “Environment-Quality” is distributed each year to the producers. It is a genuine work and references tool. It is composed of a planning/diary of production, practical cards on the principal statutory texts concerning the production, and of various lists of suppliers and approved products.

The “Environment-Quality” web pages : Pages Environment Quality

CERAFEL also:

deas with the edition of recording cards. The producers can use them as support to register the interventions

carried out on the pieces.

makes sure the quality of the inputs by giving its agreement to some the suppliers, as it is the case for the

organic material in particular.

Controls the implementation of the “Environment-Quality” approach by means of technical analyses, of

control of residues and annual audits.

Audits officially agreed suppliers by means of external organizations.

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The many "Integrated Production” reference documents on the

environment and other methods

Reference documents that take into account farming in its entirety whatever their production are : FARRE, Agriculture durable, Quali’Terre, AgriConfiance, EUREPGap, Ferti-mieux, etc.

FARRE

Farre (Forum de l 'Agriculture Raisonnée Respectueuse de l'Environnement) (Forum of Environmentally-Friendly Integrated Farming) is an inter-branch association created in 1993 and has nearly 1000 members. It aims to promote the benefits of integrated farming and to making it more widespread. The National Farre Association is a registered association for the protection of the environment.

www.farre.org

Quali’Terre

Quali'Terre is an individual quality and environment management process which sets a level of minimum requirements that product processes can be based on. It is a credible communication tool for the agricultural profession thanks to the qualification system whose main objective is to reassert the value of the farming profession.

More information on Quali’Terre

AgriConfiance

The Agri Confiance® programme was initiated in 1992 by Coop de France, a professional organization of agricultural cooperative businesses and the French food industry. All agricultural cooperative businesses are key players in the agricultural landscape and the French food industry:

2900 industrial and commercial businesses and 12 500 cooperatives for the use of agricultural equipment.

Three quarters of farmers adhere to at least one cooperative. Large group members of agricultural cooperation in France are: Terrena, In Vivo, Sodiaal Socopa Tereos Agrial, Coopagri Bretagne and Cecab. National brands developed by agricultural cooperation: Yoplait, Candia, Rippoz, Isigny, Paysan Breton, Montfort, Matines Delpeyrat, Jacquet, Vilmorin, Florette, Beghin Say, Nicolas Feuillatte. Among them, AgriConfiance® already federates a large number of companies that were fully aware that it was important to provide quality supplementary information to buyers and consumers.

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Visit their website

GlobalGAP

GLOBALG.A.P. is a private sector organization that sets standards on a voluntary basis for the certification of agricultural products (including aquaculture) worldwide. GLOBALG.A.P.’s reference document is primarily designed to reassure consumers about how food is produced on the farm by minimizing the adverse impacts of agricultural activities on the environment, reducing the use of chemical inputs and by ensuring a responsible approach to the health and safety of workers as well as the well-being of animals.

Visit their website

2- ASSESSMENT OF INTEGRATED PRODUCTION IN

SPAIN

The Spanish Autonomous Communities of Andalusia, Aragon, Balearic Islands, Catalonia, Castile -León, Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Murcia, Navarre, Valencia and the Basque Country have each developed regulations for Integrated Production. The regulations establish a framework law laying down the requirements for integrated production, its certification system and the certifying mark it uses.

Actors and Partners Involved / Objectives and Strategy

Integrated production in Spain was developed by the Autonomous Communities and Autonomous Cities (CCAA). From 1993, Catalonia was the first CCAA which developed rules on integrated production. From 2002, integrated production in Spain was developed by the Autonomous Communities, and for the first time, by the State as well through the Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) which published the rules on integrated production in Spain: Royal Decree 1201/2002 20th November. During this stage, each CCAA continued to maintain their own, exclusively autonomous rules which gradually adapted to the basic conditions laid down by the MAPA. From 2004, the MAPA started to publish specific national integrated production technical standards which coexist with the ones already laid down by the CCAA’s. General Rules

The first integrated production rule in Spain was published during 2002 by means of the Royal Decree 201/2002 20th November which was modified at article 4 by the Royal Decree 108/2010 5th February. It establishes integrated production rules for Spanish agricultural products which are identified by the logo :

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It is also supplemented by different rules : Order APA/1/2004 9th January which establishes the national IP guarantee logo. Order APA 370/2004 13th February which establishes the national IP guarantee technical standards for

horticultural crops (melon, tomato, pepper, lettuce and courgette). Order APA/1657/2004 31st May which establishes the national IP guarantee technical standards for citrus

fruits. Order APA/677/2006 28th February which establishes the national IP guarantee technical standards for garlic.

Cultivated Area :

There is a strong integrated production development in Spain: Distribution of cultivated land using integrated production in Spain in 2011 • Olives 371.084 ha • Rice 73.582 ha • Cereals 80.645 ha • Cotton 48.378 ha • Citrus 42.135 ha • Stone fruits 41.134 ha • Vegetables 27.525 ha • Grapes for wine making 29.315 ha • Pome fruits 11.918 ha

• Dry fruits 9.815 ha • Beet 10.151 ha • Tobacco 10.459 ha • Table grapes 2.001 ha • Lucerne 4.270 ha • Bananas 2,892 ha • Corn 520 ha • Other 244 ha

Total : 766.070 ha

Read all the listed figures available on the Catalonia regional website

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History of Integrated production

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Andalusia

Actors and Partners Involved

All members of the production chain, from farmers and ranchers to handling, packaging, processing and labeling of product operators are involved in the process in Andalusia. Objectives and Strategy

Faced with growing concerns about food quality and environmental protection, the aim is to develop sustainable production systems which converge in productivity, safety, quality and environment friendly technologies. To achieve these objectives, the Junta de Andalucía has invested heavily in the development program of Integrated Production. Currently, it leads and concentrates the largest number of hectares devoted to this production model. General Rules

In Andalusia, integrated production is governed by the Decree 245/2003 2nd September, which defines the rules on integrated production for agricultural products and thier processed forms, modified by the Decree 7/2008 15th January. They are defined in the Andalusian context:

Production standards and general conditions to be met by operators who adhere to the approach

Use of guarantee branding that differentiates these agricultural products to the consumer and their control as well as the authorization of certifying bodies.

Specific integrated production rules and genuine instruments of technology transfer which collect the latest technical and scientific knowledge are published with standards that establish mandatory, prohibited and recommended practices for each production, process or preparation operation defined for each agricultural product. 20 published technical standards including the following fruit and vegetables : strawberry, stone fruits, tomatoes for the processing industry, 8 vegetables Control and certification system : by accredited entities according to the EN 45011 standard Visit the regional website on Integrated Production

Cultivated Areas in Integrated Production

Crop Area (ha) 2010 Area (ha) 2011

Vegetables 19.294 15.153

Stone fruits 1.969 1.810

Olive tree 278 480 309 680

Grape 3.094, 2.764

Cultivated area total 410.111 463.846

IP is 60% of the cultivated area in Andalusia with 45,000 farmers involved in the process. For more details : http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/agriculturaypesca/portal/areas-tematicas/agricultura/sanidad-vegetal/produccion-integrada/material-divulgativo.html

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Programme de communication et de promotion

Published guide : Integrated Production Guide

This logo is used to identify products from IP.

The slogan "Compromiso Verde" set up from 2007 transmits the image of the integrated production as food-processing high quality sign référante for all the production line in passing for all its levels: a farmer, a market, a consumer, an industry and a company (society). This promotion wants to inform the consumers about the qualities of these products and to change this distinguishing feature in sign of confidence, safety, qualities which differentiate them besides productions by the values

Aragon

Actors and Partners Involved

All the operators, producers and processors interested in integrated production can register as an integrated production player in a register created for this purpose. Objectives and Strategy

To develop integrated production inspired by the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) standards in order to obtain high-quality agricultural products by using methods and farming practices that respect the environment and ensure food safety and farm profitability.

General Rules

Decree 223/2002 25th June, the Aragon government, which regulates and encourages integrated product ion of vegetables.

5 published technical standards including the following fruit and vegetables : stone fruits, pome fruits To define mandatory, forbidden and recommended agricultural practices for each product. Control and certification system : by accredited entities according to the EN 45011 standard Click here for the website on integrated production in Aragon including technical standards Cultivated Areas in Integrated Production

Crop Area (ha) 2010 Area (ha) 2011

Vegetables 463,00 4.464,00

Pome fruits 3.251,00 3.282,00

Stone fruits 12.092,00 12.306,00

Cultivated area total 73.082,00 77.501,00

Click here for more details on areas and producers involved Communication and Promotion Programme

This logo is used to identify products from IP.

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Catalonia

Actors and Partners Involved

The competent authority for integrated production in Catalonia is the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries through the General Directorate of Agricultural Production and Rural Innovation (DAR), which delegates part of its powers to a coordination unit : the Catalan Council of Integrated Production (CCPI) over which it exercises protective administrative. The main functions of the DAR are:

The development and implementation of all legislation on integrated production.

The controlling of the CCPI’s activities, the control and certification institutions and the resolution of administrative appeals filed against the Board is subject to administrative law.

Management and coordination of all the integrated production

committees. DAR is based on a Coordination Unit and the CCPI, an executive body where management, producers, manufacturers and / or importers as well as consumers are represented through their representative organizations. The main functions of the CCPI are:

to promote, improve and broadcast integrated production the monitoring, control and certification of integrated production.

Objectives and Strategy

To develop the widest integrated production system possible to obtain high-quality agricultural products by using methods and farming practices that respect the environment and to ensure food security and farm profitability. General Rules

The Law 21/2001 28th December on the fiscal and administrative measures and the Decree 241/2002 8th October which regulates integrated production in Catalonia. 23 published technical standards including the following fruit and vegetables : dried fruits, pome fruits, stone fruits, 13 vegetables Control and certification system : by accredited entities according to the EN 45011 standard

Cultivated Areas in Integrated Production

Crop Area (ha) 2010 Area (ha) 2011

Vegetables 320 335

Dried fruits 3.070 3.085

Pome fruits 6.160 6.051

Stone fruits 7.708 8.099,

Cultivated area total 31.539 32.093

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Communication and Promotion Programme

The CCPI sends out promotional material which is distributed during professional trade fairs and on demand. They publish a Directori d'Empreses de Qualitat Certificada (Business Directory of Certified Quality) which includes a list of certified operators in Catalonia.

Promotional materials

Les activités de promotion pour voir le détail des activités de promotion menées

Read about the promotional activities Visit the Ministry of Agriculture and integrated production website

Extremadura

Actors and Partners Involved

All operators involved in integrated production must subscribe to the Integrated Production Producer and Operator Register (ROPPI) under the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Livestock. (Annex II of Decree 87/2000). Each operator registered in the ROPPI annually receives a certificate of good compliance with respect to integrated production technical regulations following checks carried out by external certifying bodies. General Rules

Integrated production in Extremadura is governed by Decree 87/2000 14th April with the only change introduced by Article 16 Decree 136/2002 8th October, establishing the private inspection registry and / or food certification in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura. Click here to see the regulations for Extremadura Different technical standards regulating the characteristics of integrated production for each crop are established.

6 published technical standards including the following fruit and vegetables : stone fruits, pome fruits, tomatoes for the processing industry

Control and certification system : by accredited entities according to the EN 45011 standard

More information on the standards

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Cultivated Areas in Integrated Production

Crop Area (ha) 2010 Area (ha) 2011

Vegetables 272 893

Pome fruits 1.262 1.126

Stone fruits 12.397 13.143

Cultivated area total 49.042 101.809

Click here to see the current situation and development of integrated production in stone fruits Click here to see the current situation and development of integrated production in pome fruits

Website on integrated production in Extremadura

Murcia

Actors and Partners Involved

Certified fresh or quality processed vegetable products obtained through integrated production guarantee that these products comply with the general standards. These standards refer to all phases from production to marketing and must be met by all operators. The control is carried out through certifying bodies credited by the National Accreditation Body (ENAC). In addition, these standards are supplemented by specific technical standards established for each crop or crop group. General Rules

The regulations : Decree 8/1998 26th February regarding agricultural products obtained by

integrated production techniques. 14 published technical standards including the following fruits and vegetables:

stone fruits, pear, 7 vegetables Detailed technical standards for the main products :

Click here for the technical standards for the main products Click here for more technical standards

Control and certification system : by accredited entities according to the EN 45011 standard

Cultivated Areas in Integrated Production

Crop Area (ha) 2010 Area (ha) 2011

Vegetables 4.062 1.280

Dried fruits 5.188 4.830

Pome fruits 239 206

Stone fruits 6.084 5.447

Table grape 2.177 2.00,83

Cultivated area total 26.298 21.548

Click here to go to the website on integrated production in Murcia

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Castilla and Leon

General Rules

Integrated production began in Castile and Leon in 2000 with the publication of Decree 208/2000 5th October which regulates the integrated production of agricultural products from Castile and León. This standard defines the general requirements for producers and operators who choose to use this type of production as well as the Integrated Production guarantee identification label. 8 published technical standards including the following fruits and vegetables: pome fruits, cherries, carrots Control and certification system: by accredited entities according to the EN 45011 standard Cultivated Areas in Integrated Production

Crop Area (ha) 2010 Area (ha) 2011

Vegetables 1.246,61 1.496,28

Pome fruits 270,00 334,49

Cultivated area total 5.741,11 5.251,74

Communication and Promotion Programme

The "Integrated Production in Castile and Leon" logo ensures that products are manufactured according to integrated production standards. Permission to use it is granted by the General Director of agricultural and rural development and is awarded to operators who comply with the rules of integrated production so as to develop a system of quality assurance, technical advice and proper traceability. For more information, please check the following sites: the producers involved the regulations the website on integrated production in Castile and León

Galicia

General Rules

In Galicia, integrated production is regulated by Decree 68/2004 11th March on integrated production and presentation of agricultural products. Subsequently, it established guidelines formulated by Decree 2005 30th May and specific technical regulations for different crops.

4 published technical standards including the following fruit and vegetables : kiwi, vegetables (peppers, tomato, lettuce), vines Click here to see the technical regulations

Control and certification system by accredited entities according

to the EN 4501 standard

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Cultivated Areas in Integrated Production

Crop Area (ha) 2010 Area (ha) 2011

Kiwi 185,88 173,35

Cultivated area total 582,90 530,40

Visit the website on integrated production in Galicia

La Rioja

General Rules

The Decree 53/2001 21st December regulates the integrated production of agricultural products in the Autonomous Community of La Rioja. Included in Annex I the general rules that define integrated production farming practices are to be met by producers or processors. It is supplemented by various regulations establishing the rules for using the Integrated Production identification label in agricultural products, application procedures for the producer register and controls:

Order 1/2002 13th February, which provides rules for using the Integrated production brand in agricultural products.

Order 2/2002 13th February, which establishes the application procedure for the producer register and the integrated production processors; and Order 18/2007 12 April which sets rules and deadlines for registered operators and the updating of registration.

Order 3/2002 13th February, laying down the procedures for granting permission to use the brand label guaranteeing integrated production in La Rioja.

Order 4/2002 13th February , which is governed by the control and certification system for Integrated Production in La Rioja.

7 published technical standards including the following fruit and vegetables : pome fruits, stone fruits, artichokes, cabbages, mushrooms, canned vegetables

Control and certification system : by accredited entities according to the EN 45011 standard Cultivated Areas in Integrated Production

Crop Area (ha) 2010 Area (ha) 2011

Vegetables 1.017,05 1.099,75

Pome fruits 704,58 727,72

Stone fruits 193,50 197,51

Cultivated area total 2.931,54 3.167,32

More information on the following links: the specific technical regulations the cultivated area and operators the website on integrated production in La Rioja

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Navarre

General Rules

Integrated production of agricultural products is subject to the Navarre Regional Government Decree 143/1997 26th May and is supplemented by other clauses.

11 published technical standards including the following fruit and vegetables : stone fruits (peaches and nectarines), pome fruits (apples and pears), 5 vegetables, asparagus, tomatoes for the processing industry, greenhouse tomatoes Click here to see the approved standards

Control and certification system: by accredited entities I.C.A.N

Cultivated Area in Integrated Producion

Crop Area (ha) 2010 Area (ha) 2011

Vegetables 638,71 829,00

Pome fruits 260,68 189,00

Stone fruits 79,62 130,00

Kiwi 0,00 15,00

Cultivated area total 991,27 191,00

Click here to see the regulations Click here to go to the website on integrated production in Navarre

Basque Country

Actors and Partners Involved

The competent authority for integrated production in the area of the Basque Country is the Department of Politics and Food Industry, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in the Basque Government. This department is responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of the production system in collaboration with other agencies involved in this case, according to Decree 31/2001 13th February on integrated production and food information, amended by Decree 259/2003 21st October. A Coordination Committee and Technical Committees are responsible for promoting the development and preparation of integrated production standards for each crop, in collaboration with professionals and the government. The Order 6th August 2002, determines the organization and functioning of the Integrated Production Operators Registry in the Basque Country and represents the body in charge of monitoring and verifying that operators comply with the technical standards.

6 published technical standards including the following fruit and vegetables : kiwi, greenhouse vegetables

Control and certification system : Fundación Elika

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Cultivated Area in Integrated Production

Crop Area (ha) 2010 Area (ha) 2011

Vegetables 235,97 255,21

Kiwi 14,18 11,84

Cultivated area total 379,40 417,22

More information : see the regulations see more regulations visit the website on integrated production in the Basque Country Communication and Promotion Programme

Link towards the Eusko Label (Superior quality food)

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3- ASSESSMENT OF INTEGRATED PRODUCTION IN

ITALY

The strategy put in place

The Italian state has at last officially recognized integrated production. The Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry by the law of 3rd F ebruary 2011 on “labeling and quality of food products” has made origin labeling compulsory. This law provides for in Article 2, paragraph 3, the implementation of the National System of Integrated Production Quality (SQNPI) . Act 4 3rd February 2011, “Provisions for labelling and quality of food.” Click here for more information on the SQNPI. This system aims to further guarantee the quality of the final product beyond the current trade rules based on a certification process of the products obtained by the technique of integrated production. On the basis of this Act, integrated production has been defined as “a food production system that uses all the methods and means of production by defending agricultural products against diseases and attackers to minimize the use chemical synthesis, streamline fertilization in accordance with the principles of ecology, economy and “toxicology.” The definition of technical content which governs the production process has been assigned to an Integrated Production Committee composed of representatives from the Ministry and regions. It is responsible for defining the national guidelines for integrated production which the regional rules must comply with, on an annual basis. The Committee is also responsible for assessing the consistency of regional regulations with the criteria and principles set out in the national framework in order to give a notice of compliance certifying their applicabil ity in the region. This notice of compliance can benefit from specific support provided by the Rural Development Regulation (Reg CE 1698/2007) and the CMO (Reg EC 1234/2007). This system of integrated production quality can also control the compliance of products by regional control services as well as append the specific national mark. Consumers should be able to identify the method of production constituting an additional guarantee on the quality and safety of fresh fruits and vegetables made in Italy. Rules on using the logo is currently being defined by the Ministry and membership to this system is voluntary and is open to all European Union operators. This recently implemented system will enable Italy to predict the new Community measures which will introduce the requirement of integrated pest management as of January 2014. Nevertheless, the regional rules and regulations that have been implemented over the years will carry on. Click here to find:

the terms and condition of subscription and management of the system of integrated production quality

the rules on using the SQNPI’s collective mark

Click here to find the nation guide for the drafting of regional regulation plan.

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Click here to find documents on integrated protection against pests : the regional guide for the different Italian regions and the national guide for 2012. A private standard : UNI - 11233:

National Standard Institute is a private association which makes the Italian legislation in all the industrial, commercial branches and of services and represents Italy in the activities of normalization of the international authorities of standardization CEN and ISO. In 2009, she defined a specific ruler (UNITED 11233:2009), which defines, among others, the concept of system of integrated production applicable to the food chains which are identified by the implementation of the processes of production with low environmental impact, by minimizing the use of the resources and the technical tools which have a negative impact on the environment and on the health of the consumers. This ruler is thus a "standard" respected by companies of production and industrial transformation who launch in a process of integrated production to obtain their certification and so diversify in purposes of marketing. This standard is a very different private standard which must not be confused with the public initiative organized by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, of the Food and Forests through the definition of "system of national integrated production quality“. Communication and Promotion Programme

The Ministry of Agriculture launched a competition to find the national logo which would identify fruit and vegetables manufactured according to the rules on integrated production. The importance of a national brand, which would allow consumers to identify which products use this technique, results from a recent survey carried out by ISMEA under the name MIPAAF. Here are the logos of the main regional initiatives:

Website on integrated production in Italy

Here are the respective logos of the principal regional initiatives:

QUALITA' CONTROLLATA - Regional law N. 28/99 creating the brand of the Emilia-Romagna to identify and promote the food manufactured with IP techniques.

AGRIQUALITA' - Regional law N. 25/99 creating the brand of the Tuscan Area to identify and promote the food manufactured with IP techniques.

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QUALITA' VERIFICATA - Regional law N. 12/01 creating the brand of the Venezia region to identify and promote the food manufactured with IP techniques.

QUALITA' GARANTITA - Decree N. 98/CSI_10/09 creating the brand of the

Piedmont to identify and promote the food manufactured with IP techniques.

PRODOTTI DI PUGLIA - Deliberation of area N. 1706/12 creating the mark of the Apulia region to identify and promote the food manufactured with IP techniques.

Emilia-Romagna

Objectives and Strategy :

To obtain quality products that offer better guarantees to consumers while respecting the environment, Emilia-Romagna has, since the 90s, developed "integrated production". It allows the best use of the most modern agricultural and conservation practices and, defined in collaboration with research centers and organizations of producers.

The IP in Emilia-Romagna is related to the application of all the techniques and all the processes to weaken environmental impact, guaranteeing food safety in the cultivation methods.

They are summarized in the following below:

the management of the grounds (process, grass-growing, the intercropping cultures, the drainage….) crop rotation and the heritage protection against pests and weeds management (choice of the pesticides and the methods of use, biological

pesticides, sexual weeds stimulative traps, samples, thresholds) the irrigation (time and mode of use of irrigation water, water balance, methods of installation and irrigation,

the irrigation water quality) the fertilization (chemical and biological) the management of the culture (density of plantation, pruning, polishing,….) moment of the harvest treatment and post- harvest management: the conservation (management of the refrigeration technology, product conditioning) the management of the treatment and/or packing (procedures of hygiene environment and machines) post-harvest management of the fight against the storage diseases

General Rules :

Rules for integrated production are constantly updated according to the results of research and experimentation which collect all the relevant information for technicians and farmers.

Integrated production rules concerning the cultivation stage, are prepared in accordance with the Regional Plan for Rural Development 2007-2013 (Reg. CE 1698/05), as well as specific measures in the DM 4672 of 9/08/2102 for integrated production, according to the regulation CE 1234/07.

Changes are incorporated by an act of the head of crop development.

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These are mainly:

updated rules harvesting and post-harvest techniques- fresh produce ;

approval of the cultivation technical standards for the first time – cultivation stages – horticultural crop agronomic standards for the 4th range, in addition to the standards of pest management;

The text relating to the cultivation phase specifications on production, which integrates all the technical standards for the conduct of cultivation operations for the harvesting of the product, is divided into two parts: "General" and "Cultivation technical standards."

In Emilia-Romagna, integrated production is part of Measure 214, which aims to encourage a sustainable use and management of agricultural land in the region, particularly through promoting the protection of water resources, soil conservation, the protection and enhancement of biodiversity and agricultural landscape, and improving air quality.

Click here to go to the website on Measure 214.

In Emilia-Romagna, the integrated production is mainly used in two different domains: the " agro -environmental measures " within the framework of the regional Plan of rural development and the " environmental guidelines " of the operational programs of producers' organizations in the sector of fruits and vegetables

Integrated Production in Emilia-Romagna is currently regulated by Regional Law no.28/99 which also includes the provision of the "Quality Management" collective mark consisting of specific post -harvest rules. To use this brand there is no specific control system which provides for the membership of an approved private inspection body by the Region.

The control system is performed by accredited control bodies UNI EN 45011 for certifying agricultural products which monitor compliance with the specifications in all phases

Click here to find :

The general standards 2012,

The post-harvest standards and other processing production types 2012,

The cultivation technical standards 2012 and the derogation from the production rule,

Summary of the technical standards for the different fruit and vegetable etc. crops

PI-cultivated surfaces

Cultivation groups Surface (ha) 2011 Fruits 32.773

Vegetable 27.417

Arable 23.000

grass 5.386

Total 88.576

The regional farms apply the integrated production (2011): nr.12.848

In Emilia-Romagna, the fruit and vegetable sector are that for which PI records are the highest of application with the Operational programmes of the Producers' organizations recognized by the fruit and vegetable. In 2011, the OP supported the expansion of the integrated production on more than 71,000 hectares.

In the table which follows, principal cultures:

Fruit/vegetable Surface (ha) 2011 Pear 15.901

Peach 11.339

Bean for the industry 3.371

Kiwi 2.807

Tomato for industry 2.662

Apricot tree 2.541

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Apple 2.491

Plum 2.009

Onion 1.582

Carrot 1.456

Melon 1.232

Watermelon 1.226

Salads 1.098

Zucchini 644

Cherry 564

Khaki 431

Garlic 430

Strawberry 391

Programme de communication et de promotion

The Qualità Controllata brand was filed by Emilia-Romagna and its use is granted to producing, processing and marketing companies agreeing to abide by the rules of integrated production. Concerned are the different cultivation stages (cultivation techniques, pest control, weed control, fertilization) but also the post-harvest stage (processing, preservation and packaging) to providing a guarantee of the product sold to the final consumer. Companies adhering to the QC brand can be eligible for aid (only for crop production) to cover the costs of certification and promotion. Click here to find documents on the QC brand.

Piedmont

Objectives and Strategy :

The integrated production technical standards of the Piedmont region are part of the Rural Development Plan 2007-2013’s Measure 214.1 ("Application of integrated production techniques” under the Regulation (CE) no.1698/2005). From 2011, references can be found in the regional operational programmes for farming techniques with low environmental impact under Reg. 1234/2007 (Single CMO Regulation). These standards must be complied with general criteria approved by the European Commission in the field of integrated farming (Decision no. C (96) 3864 30th December 1996). Generally, integrated agricultural production in Piedmont always refers to the commitments contained in the technical regulations, set in accordance with national guidelines for Integrated Production. The Piedmont Region reserves the right to update the rules, with the approval of the National Integrated Production Committee (CPI). The CPI is the only body authorized to issue regional technical standards compliance to national guidelines for Integrated Production.

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General Rules :

Click here to see the technical standards- protection, weed and agricultural practices 2012. Communication and Promotion Programme :

The brand "Agri Qualità Certified Integrated Production" is considered in the National System of Integrated Production Quality (SQNPI)" :

ensures consumers that the product they are buying complies with specific production characteristics laid down in the specific rules of production;

provides that the holders of a crop under "integrated production" are subject to controls (even before it is placed on the market) carried out by the control bodies accredited by ACCREDIA on the basis of the UNI CEI EN 45011 standard, recognized by MIPAAF and recorded in a special list;

provides for a system of control to also sample on residues of pesticides from the final product;

enhances the product both for its intrinsic qualitative characteristics, its limited environmental impact and the adopted production process involved.

Promotion of the "Piemont Agri Qualità – Integrated Production" also guarantees consumers that the product is from the Piedmont region. Click here to see information on Agri Qualità

Tuscany

Actors and partners involved

Integrated production is encouraged by the Rural Development Plan 2000-2006 in the region of Tuscany and by the measure 6.2 "Introduction and maintenance of integrated farming techniques." It is identified by a

collective mark, Agriqualità, which is owned by the Region of Tuscany.

General Rules :

Click here to find the regulations. Click here to see the regulations on production and processing.

Dispositif technique et procédures d’attribution des aides agroenvironnementales Mesure 214 Click here to find the reference standards 1999-2007 Control systems ARSIA ensures the proper implementation of the brand and technical control. Communication and Promotion Programme :

AgriQualità is the trademarked name by the Tuscany Region which identifies and promotes food products manufactured with integrated farming techniques as defined by the LR 25/99 and its implementing regulations Reg.47/R/2004. The mark is used under license granted by the Region of Tuscany to those who request it and follow the rules for all stages of the production cycle.

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A supervisory body that meets the criteria of EN 45011 and is approved by the Region of Tuscany, it verifies compliance and traceability throughout the supply chain, and performs product sampling to be analyzed. The ARSIA oversees the control bodies, and updates a list of dealers. Promotional activities

In 2004, the Tuscany region implemented a production-orientated communication project on the Agriqualità brand in collaboration with ARSIA, in order to stimulate interest in the brand and the growth in the number of dealers. Currently, there is no specific promotional activity in the Tuscany Region. For more information on the brand Agriqualità More information on promotional activities (in Italian) : http://agriqualita.arsia.toscana.it/pagebase.asp?p=448 And also : http://agriqualita.arsia.toscana.it/pagebase.asp?p=450 Tuscany Integrated agriculture website

Bolzano

Actors and partners involved

In 1989, South Tyrol was one of the first fruit-growing regions of Europe to develop a program for integrated fruit production (PFI) for seeds and served as a guide for new developments in this area.

In South Tyrol, the creation and carrying out of integrated production takes place under the Agrios program.

AGRIOS Foundation

The development of “integrated production”, which includes in its overall concept all the factors and fruit production areas such as location, plant breeding, planting material, cultivation, fertilization, harvesting, conservation etc. gave rise to the "Agrios" working groups favored by problems appearing such as the resistance phenomena, pollution, waste etc. At the initiative of the fruits economic organization allowed in South Tyrol on 20 December 1988 at Terlano, the Agrios organization (Working Group for Integrated Fruit Production in South Tyrol), was officially recognized. Also involved in the process were the following entities: the Bolzano Inspectorate for Agriculture, the Centre of Agricultural Experiment Laimburg, the organization "Fruttunion Südtirol," the organization for the promotion of auction in South Tyrol "FOS," the workforces representatives: "Südtiroler Bauernbund," "Südtiroler Bauernjugend" and the Provincial Federation of farmers. General Rules

Provincial Law no. 12 of 30th April 1991 regulated integrated production in South Tyrol and introduced the brand for fruit produced using integrated production. Rules relating to the regulation and promotion of organic farming and integrated production 2011 Guideline for integrated production of pome fruits (in English) 2011 Directive for integrated production of apples Agronomic Part 2012 Directives for integrated fruit production

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Communication and Promotion Programme :

The South Tyrolean fruit which was produced and stored according to guidelines provided by Agrios and passed all the controls can be identified under the name South Tyrol with the ladybird and the words "integrated production". It allows the consumer, the business, the trade and the producer to recognize the product as coming from integrated production. Bolzano Integrated production website

Trento

Règles communes :

Click here to find the different production technical regulations for the main crops for 2012. Click here to find the regulations in certain agriculture and protection sections, as approved by the regulatory authorities.

Programme de communication et de promotion :

Il n’y a pas de programme de communication spécifique à la production intégrée.

Site Web de production intégrée

Basilicate

Règles communes :

Integrated production discipline rules and specifications for the different crops

Programme de communication et de promotion :

There is no specific communication programme.

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Veneto

Common rules

The Charter “Qualità Verificata” Extract from the regional law of May 31st, 2001, n°12 protection and the improvement of the agricultural food quality implies the use of a collective brand for agricultural products which guaranties, in terms of quality, a greater consumer protection.

The collective brand of law Nber 12/2001, entitled “Quality Checked” (QV: “Qualità Verificata”) identifies a quality system recognized by the public institutions. It has the following requirements:

The products have a better quality than the current commercial standards The method of production is described in the specifications, their respect is

checked by an organization of independent control The specifications include the application of the principles of the integrated production, for environmental

protection, for the the biodiversity and the consumers health The system is opened all to producers The system ensures the complete traceability of the products.

The system of quality of law N ° 12/2001, as well as the compliance with the community rules as regards rural development is coordinated with the national system of production integrated of the quality, set up by the law of February 3rd, 2011, n°4 “measures in relation with labelling and food quality” (EU Official journal No 41 of February 19th, 2011).

The page on the "Qualità Verificata" procedures describes the administrative procedures to be respected for the quality system and for the use of the brand. The rules of production which must be observed can be found on the production disciplinary page. Administrative measures for the implementation of law N. 12/2001 appear in the Production norms page.

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3- INTEGRATED PRODUCTION IN BELGIUM

In Belgium, the legal starting point of integrated production is on the one hand the Flemisch law of 1996, particularly focusing on pomefruit (apples and pears).

see: http://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/change_lg.pl?language=fr&la=F&cn=2003021348&table_name=loi (only availabe in Dutch).

For the Wallonian part of the country, there is the “Arrêté du Gouvernement wallon du 29 avril 2004 relatif à l’agrément de la méthode de production intégrée pour fruits à pépins, des organismes de contrôle ainsi que des producteurs qui pratiquent cette méthode”.

See : http://agriculture.wallonie.be/apps/spip_wolwin/article.php3?id_article=87 (in French).

The requirements for integrated production have since years been included in the quality system GIQF (Gestion Intégrale de la Qualité de la Filière) of Vegaplan. see : http://www.vegaplan.be/index.php?id=226&L=2 .

Considering the changes in European legislation related to crop protection (IPM), it is expected that modifications will be made in the coming months to the GIQF standard as to allow producers to comply to the legislation by means of the GIQF certificate. In that way, the future of the current legal systems for pomefruit will have to evolve.

A new collective sustainability label in 2012

Responsibly Fresh the collective label for sustainable development is an initiative from the Association of Belgian Horticultural Cooperatives (VBT) for fruit and vegetables.

see: www.responsibly-fresh.com

Only producers and cooperatives that have shown efforts with regards to various aspects and a sustainability criteria can use this label. To be able to use the label, they have to meet strict requirements. To date, the following participating cooperatives are: Belgische Fruitveiling BFV, Coöbra, Limburgse Tuinbouwveiling LTV, Mechelse Veilingen, REO Veiling, Veiling Borgloon, Veiling Hoogstraten, et LAVA avec le label de qualité Flandria. Plus d’infos

To do this, local producers of fruits and vegetables and their cooperatives aim for:

An economically responsible crop and marketing of quality products;

Optimal use of production means and limiting unwanted side effects

Respect for social and health aspects.

Traders and consumers who buy and consume products bearing this label are thereby signing up to, as well as stimulating, the search for sustainability in the fruit and vegetable sector.

General Rules

Responsibly Fresh producers have their choice of quality systems that are strictly adhered to in their daily practice.

Producer cooperatives set up a four-year plan that includes collective achievements and perspectives with regard to an entire list of sustainability criteria. Each producer cooperative have signed up to a Sustainable Business Charter, as offered and monitored by an external organization.

Among the four themes where improvements will be developed, integrated production can be found.

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Fruit and vegetables are natural products that offer a high nutritional value. They also occupy an important place in a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Integrated cultivation and crop protection

To keep the healthy properties of their fruit and vegetables, Responsibly Fresh growers restrict their intervention in the growth process to the bare minimum required. That is the basic principle underlying integrated cultivation and crop protection. Click to read more)

Principles of integrated cultivation :

Various cultivation methods are combined and followed by three healthy principles: Prevention is better than cure (prevention,) Keep your eyes peeled (control and observation) and intervene as and when necessary (intervention).

Integrated crop protection :

When choosing the appropriate treatment, as a Responsibly Fresh producer, they combine several techniques into a whole doing exactly what is needed to guarantee the quality of fruits and vegetables, while limiting ecological and economic damage.

Integrated cultivation and crop protection play a major role in making fruit and vegetable cultivation more sustainable. Our approach guarantees that your fruit and vegetables remain of a higher quality and healthier, while the impact on nature is restricted, keeping the environment cleaner. In this way, the products become more and more reliable

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4- IP IN PORTUGAL

In Portugal, integrated agriculture developed up until 2005 when it reached 40,671 hectares, but dropped about 19% in 2006. This method of production is predominant in the western region and in Alentejo with 37.4% and 35.1% of acreage. The most involved crops in this method of integrated production (MPRODI) are vineyards, olive groves and fruit. In October 2007, a "Novo Modelo Agro-Ambiental" came into effect in Portugal with two main objectives: To support the change of method of production throughout the entire country Support the maintenance of agricultural and forestry activities relevant to biodiversity conservation. Move towards more durable methods and systems of agricultural and forest production by different stages:

Integrated production Organic agriculture Sustainable forest management

A national regulation for integrated production is implemented. The control and certification system is defined. A logo to show products issued from integrated production is created General Rules

The integrated production regulations are available on this website : http://www.dgadr.pt/val-qual/prod-int The different technical standards on integrated production are available on : http://www.dgadr.pt/sustentavelttp://www.dgadr.pt/sustentavel#fertilizacao And on : http://www.gpp.pt/ProdI/

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Contact us:

Jacques DASQUE – General Secretary

Martine VAYSSIERE – In charge of European programmes

Tel : +33.5.56.48.88.48

37, rue du Général de Larminat

33000 BORDEAUX

areflh@aquitaine.fr www.areflh.org

This document was created with the help of Alexandra Birkmire (research, writing and translation)