Agroecology and ecological intensification for a sustainable food future The French Agroecology Plan APPG on Agroecology 10 May 2016 Eric GIRY Agricultural Counsellor at the French Embassy - London 1 Initial diagnostic Both economic and environnemental issues are crucial and ● cannot be dealt with separetely Moving beyond conflicting views on growth models ● Ambition for agriculture (no decline) => need for a mobilising ● perspective Much progress has been made => important sources of ● innovation remain in the adaptation to local context and synergies within the agro-ecosystem Implication of stakeholders (farmers, research and ● development, training structures, food chain, etc.) is key 2 We know it is possible to combine economic and environmental performances Many initiatives in France and throughout the world have ● already demonstrated the possibility to combine economic and environmental performances Rely on innovation and precise knowledge of the ● functionning of the farm agro-ecosystem But Need a shift in scale and a social and political support ● Our objective is to shift from the pionneers to the average farmers 3 Agroecology: the key principles Following a systemic approach: to take advantage of the positive ● interactions and synergies at the level of the individual farm as well as in its relationship with the surrounding ecosystem, the region, the agri-food chain, etc. Fostering positive biological interactions within the agricultural ● ecosystem => preservation and improvement of natural ressources (soil, water, air) by efficient management of inputs, energy and crops Enhancement of biodiversity and biological regulations (agroecological ● infrastructures, diversification, crop rotation, association of crop species...) Enhancement of the economic performance of the farm ● Enhancement of farm autonomy: seek to complete bio- and geochemical ● cycles (water, nitrogen, etc.) 4 A strong political will Launched in December 2012 by ● Stephane Le Foll, Minister of Agriculture National Conference "Let’s produce ● differently" Integration of 7 existing specific action ● plans ( pesticides, vetenary antibiotics, organic farming, protein crops, nitrogen management and methanisation, beekeeping, seeds selection) Set the objective of a majority of French farmers having shift to ● agroecology in 2025 5 Both a public policy and a collective project A threefold public policy: ● Make explicit an ambitious and mobilising perspective ● for agriculture => produce more and better with less Set up a collective governance through a steering ● committee with the main stakeholders of the sector Define and implement a collective and comprehensive ● action plan (15 chapters; more than 70 actions; for each action: a pilot, a timetable, milestones and monitoring indicators) Modification of the other policies from this new perspective ● => change the supports to farmers to strengthen the incentive for agroecology, change the training, etc. 6 Key features of the agroecology Project Systemic thinking: all issues must be dealt with all together ● => promote agricultural practices which are simultaneously positive for economic, environmental, sanitary and social performances, climate change (mitigation, adaptation) Agro-ecology is not a set of practices or recipes: solutions ● are diverse and must be adapted on a case by case basis Different situations/contexts but every farmer is concerned ● Efficiency → substitution → reconception Collective dynamic is a key factor to support the transition ● to agro-ecology Deals not only with the farming practices but also the agri- ● food chain and the rural and territory development 7 Integration of agroecology into a new Law Law for the future of Agriculture, Agrifood & Forestry (october 2014) Art 1 : Definition : « Public policies will promote agroecological ● production systems, that combine economical, social, environmental and sanitary performances. (…) They contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation ». Art 3 : Creation of farmers interest groups (economic and environmental ● interest groups, EEIG) : - Grouping of farmers, collective dynamic ● - Project combining environmental and economical objectives ● - Networking with other stakeholders ● - Recognition at regional level ● 8 Particular emphasis on the following areas Training for farmers: training programmes and educational ● frameworks are being adapted to include agroecology- related knowledge more effectively Mobilisation of research and research & development: use ● the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) to strengthen innovation and the diffusion of agroecological knowledge and practices Mobilisation of Chambers o Agriculture, technical institutes, ● agricultural and rural associations, to assist farmers in their transition towards to agroecology On going reform of the farm advisory system ● 9 Particular emphasis on the following areas Setting up of an agroecological assessment tool: after ● extensive tests (more than 500 farms), this tool has been made freely available in october 2015. It allows farmers to measure their practices and performances and compare them with those of other farmers Renewal of public support: investment subsidies are ● geared towards agroecological oriented projects, support for setting up of young farmers is increased for agroecological projects, coupled support for the production of protein crops, etc. 10