Lenie Dwarshuis-van de BeekRapporteur on the outlook opinion on
“ Local Food Systems”Committee of the Regions
Rururbal, 24 November 2011
Why this outlook opinion?Origin: Request Commissioner Ciolos
Steps taken:Survey performed by NAT secretariat of the CoR: 120 European Local Food System-initiatives analyzed Estimated total of existing EU initiatives 300 – 500
Conference Sustainable Food Supply Chain Inowroklaw Advice on documents by NAT Commission in Malta and
Brussels Recommendations from experts and expert networks Advice adopted by CoR and offered to EC
The bigger picture (1)Traditional Local Food Systems Globally, 80% of all food is produced locally In Europe, 20% of all food is produced locally When performed in a professional way, benefits increase
significantly
Prices Consumerprices > 3,3% Prices paid to farmers > 2,1% Production costs > 3,6% a year
The bigger picture (2)Challenge Growth world population 6 – 9 billion Majority in the urban area Food production to be doubled and sustainable Not by doubling production area, but by smart systems and
advanced grow technology
Local for local on the rise Steady food supply metropolitan areas Independency important issue in food strategies Jobs, environmental quality, health
New objectives” Local Food Systems LFS as a part of a multifaceted complex of food systems Partial food independency on the regional level secured Economic, environmental and social up-to-date
challenges Added value / quality / health Professionalized: cooperatives and Public Private
Partnerships Jobs, use of ICT and new media, innovative concepts,
knowledge exchange
> Development task for Local and Regional authorities
Environmental advantagesIn spite of a growing demand for food worldwide:
Combining food production, organic waste management, bio-energy production
Less food miles Eco-awareness local community / children Positive side – effects for biodiversity Bio-energy possibilities
Economic advantagesFor farmers:
Local food systems help restore fair prices
For the community: Revenue for the local community of income spent locally
on locally produced food is 3 times the revenue of income spent on food produced elsewhere
Jobs available in agriculture, processing, distribution, logistics, packaging, marketing, sales, services, waste management, bio-energy production ….
Social advantages Partial food independency for the region,
partial food sovereignty Mutual understanding between producers
and consumers, direct contact Community sense and identity Room for traditions and cultural heritage Contribution to a healthy community / fight
obesity
Local Food Systems defined (1)The shortest food chain possible and feasable:
1. The local producer –
2. Optional party or parties (local processor) – (producer cooperative or local trader /
distributor) – (consumer cooperative) – (locally buying retailer)
3. The local consumer
Local Food Systems defined (2)The shortest fysical distance between producer and
consumer possible and feasable:
distance depends on product and circumstances in general: up to 30-50 miles in exceptional cases: up to 1000 miles
Upscaling possibilities: Local = regional Local Food Systems can cooperate in an EU network
Local Food Systems defined (3)Food involved is produced in an integrated system, that also
looks into: Smart and sustainable means of transportation and storage Smart systems for logistics and distribution Sustainable sources of energy Re-use of organic waste into energy, feed or fertilizer Re-use of residues like packaging, water, heat Smart solutions for marketing, promotion, communication Quality aspects, such as health and taste
Local Food Systems defined (4)Key factor for the rural economy and regional
governance:
To be established by local and regional private partnerships
To be supported and monitored by local and regional authorities
To be involved in local and regional policy and in public procurement tenderships
Recommendations for kick-start (1)1. Adopt the definitions suggested by the Committee of the
Regions, create voluntary logo or symbol for Local Food System (LFS)
2. Add LFS to the Agriculture Product Quality Policy / Regulation
3. Oblige memberstates to add a position on LFS in their Rural Development strategy
4. Ask the European Rural Development Network to act as an information keeper and knowledge broker, e.g. by creating a database
Recommendations for kick-start (2)5. Offer a support scheme for promotion and marketing
Offer support for developing local food systems; primary investments, tools, education
6. Offer tools for involving qualified local food in public procurement
7. Give local and regional authorities responsibility for developing and managing public aspects of LFS
8. Support local and regional authorities by providing guidebooks, roadmaps and best practices
Main worry: how to maintain a logo A “Local food product” logo helps in attracting customers But is it impossible to check on authenticity and quality
Therefore: Anyone is free to claim being a “Local food distributor”, but: He or she must have an interactive website Must explain on the website about the short supply chain and quality
aspects; the story behind the products Must publish all customers comments on the website, be open to criticism Must exploit a physical point of sale LRA only check presence of point of sale and website Social media steer the success of the vendor; bad guys lose confidence,
good guys develop their market
2011: What more did we do? Meeting with Dacian Ciolos / DG AGRI Presenting the document to EU institutions Check new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) legislative proposals Input on Agriculture Quality Policy Input on Green Public Procurement Policy Input on Green Paper on Promotion / Information measures
Additional options: Sending out the document to experts, networks and initiators of current
LFS projects Stakeholder meetings, events Meeting with EU Rural Development Network Learning by doing
European CommissionEuropean Commission GPP Training ToolkitGPP Training Toolkit
Module 3 - Purchasing recommendationsModule 3 - Purchasing recommendations
Food and catering services
ScopeThese recommendations cover the purchase of food and catering services
Specifications are proposed for the following range of products:
- fruit and vegetables; - aquaculture, marine,
meat and dairy products; - drinks and beverages; - as well as for the
performance of relevant catering services.
Purchasing criteria - Food
Core criteria - focus on: Organic production methods and packaging
waste.
Comprehensive criteria - focus in addition on: Aspects such as the procurement of food
produced according to Integrated Production standards and animal welfare
Purchasing criteria - Catering services Core criteria - focus on:
Organic food, waste minimisation and selective collection.
Comprehensive criteria - focus in addition on: Environmental selection criteria, the use of
paper and cleaning products, kitchen equipment, nutrition etc.
Conclusions Local / short supply chain is an important issue Linked to resource management, waste
management, health, regional economy, climate change:
Producing close to consumers is a must There are many succesful local initiatives The topic is finding it’s way in EU policy But not yet in national and regional policy … Keep up the good work !!!