1 a localised development of organic farming as a response to the problem of water quality : a new...
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A localised development of
organic farming as a response to the problem of water quality
: a new challengeAudrey VINCENT
ISARA-Lyon
Committee of the RegionsMarch 12th, 2015
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ContextWater quality : a major
problem for member states in Europe Water framework directive …
A sceptical assessment of policies for reducing water pollution by agriculture
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Organic farming as a possible solution for water quality protection
A growing demand for organic products
A growing interest of local citizens and of local authorities for organic farming
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Context
Grenelle de l’Environnement :
Quantitative objectives for the development of organic farming
- production (increase of the area cultivated organically)
- consumption (increase of the share of organic products in mass catering)
Organic farming should be developped in water sensitive areas : « in water catchment areas, priority is to be given to organic farming and low input agriculture » (Grenelle Law, 2009)
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A new challenge
Organic farming development was so far mainly an individual initiative of farmer...
…. Developping organic farming for tackling water pollution problems requires :
- to foster and target the development of organic farming in water sensitive areas
- to have a substancial development of organic farming there (to get a visible impact on water quality)
Necessity to have a « localised » development of organic farming
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ObjectivesGetting an overview of existing projects aiming at
developing organic farming to protect water quality
Project leaders Stakeholder involved Actions carried out Policy tools implemented
Infering recommandations for public policies
Inventory of the projects in FranceCase study approachInterviews of policy makers and local stakeholders
involved in the projects
Methodology
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2 strategies for the development of organic farming to tackle water quality problems
Projects targeted at the scale of the watershed
Projects targeted at a larger scale
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Projects targeted at the watershed scale
Objective: changing farming practices in the zones where water quality is a priority (= on the areas with most impact on water quality)
Project leaders : local authorities, water managers
Scale : water catchment areas (for drinkable water)/ watershed
Actions mainly targeted at field or farm level
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Actions of Eau de Paris in the Vallée de la Vanne Context
Priority water catchment Nitrate and pesticide pollution Size of the watershed : 45,000 ha (with 30,000 ha UAA)
Objective : development of organic farming in the watershed
Actions implemented Farmers’ training and awareness raising about organic
farming (extension services) Aquisition of land and tenancies with environmental
conditions Reinforced financial support for conversion to organic farming
(2nd pillar of the CAP) Recently : partnership with economic playors (agricultural
cooperatives) for creating local organic supply chains (organic seeds)...
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Projects targeted at a larger scale Objective: re-inforcing actions for the development of organic
farming (technical advice and training, creation of organic supply chains…..)
Project leaders : agricultural stakeholders (extension services, agricultural cooperatives…)
Scale : extensive areas, larger than just a watershed
Actions targeted at groups of farmers and/or the whole supply chain
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Example of Aiserey Mill (Burgundy) Context
Closing of a sugar refinery Conversion into an organic flour mill
Objective Delivery of local grain to the mill (100 km radius) Increasing the demand for organic cereals an incentive for
farmers of the area to convert to organic farming Market as a driver for the development of conversion
Actions implemented Partenship between agricultural cooperatives and extension
services Awareness raising and advise to farmers
Project financially supported by the water agency Rhône Méditerranée Corse
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Various tools to foster the development of organic farming in water sensitive areas
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Collective dynamics
Target
Scale
Farmer and Farm
Watershed Local Regional National
Financial support for organic conversion
Land acquisition and tenancies with environmental conditions
Reinforced financial support for organic conversion
Local activation to promote organic farming and its practices
Development of new supply chains for organic products
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Advantages and limits of both strategies Projects targeted at the waterscale scale:
An efficient strategy in terms of its impact on water quality (targets most sensitive areas)
But, a necessity to take into account other features of organic farming development: e.g. existence of operators capable of collecting / processing organic raw material, ….
Projects targeted at larger scale:
A strategy that targets deep changes all over the supply chain (not only at farmer and farm level)
Takes into account processing and marketing aspects But what impact on water quality at catchment level?
Necessity of combining both approches12
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ConclusionNumerous projects associating organic farming
development and water quality protection
Various actions and tools can be implemented Often a combination of different tools
Keys for the success of such projects Strong political will to promote organic farming An identified projet leader and a territorial governance Policy support and local development plans for organic
farming Offering support to farmers (trainings, financial
incentives, administrative support…) Integrating the issue of collecting, processing and
marketing of the organic products Adapting projects to the local context
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ConclusionOrganic farming : a realistic solution to tackle water
pollution problems?
A farming method that allows to combine maintenance of agricultural activities and production of good water quality
A long term strategy (such projects and transitions take time!)
Organic farming rarely envisaged as the only solution (although it is a possible strategy)
A holistic strategy for local authorities and an answer to other problems: Local development Education about food and environment Supplies of local and organic food to mass catering (school
canteens…)14
