Lenie Dwarshuis-van de Beek Rapporteur on the outlook opinion on

1. Lenie Dwarshuis-van de BeekRapporteur on the outlook opinion on “ Local Food Systems”Committee of the RegionsRururbal, 24 November 2011

2. 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

4. 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

6. 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

7. 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

9. Environmental advantages In 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

10. Economic advantages For 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 ….

12. 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

13. 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 localconsumer

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. Recommendations for kick-start (1) • Adopt the definitions suggested by the Committee of the Regions, create voluntary logo or symbol for Local Food System (LFS) • Add LFS to the Agriculture Product Quality Policy / Regulation • Oblige memberstates to add a position on LFS in their Rural Development strategy • Ask the European Rural Development Network to act as an information keeper and knowledge broker, e.g. by creating a database

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. European Commission GPP Training Toolkit Module 3 - Purchasing recommendations Food and catering services

22. 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.

23. 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

24. 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.

25. 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 !!!