Fundaţia ADEPT Transilvania Protecting Romania’s unique high-biodiversity landscapes and the small-scale farming communities that have created them

The importance of HNV landscapes Public goods they provide have a very high economic value

The European context These important landscapes are classed as High Nature Value (HNV): they can deliver important economic vitality for farming communities, as well as broad ecosystem services. ADEPT is working with other organisations in UK, France, Spain, Italy, Bulgaria and Poland in order to design the best support measures possible and lobby for them at national and European levels.

ADEPT’s integrated programme Promoting nature-friendly farm management with local involvement and local benefit Study habitats / species / landscape, and design measures to conserve prosperity and biodiversity marketing, adding value to local products linked to biodiversity brand Diversifying, including agro-tourism linked to sales of local products Festivals, schools classes and activities Policy and information Publicity Agri-environment grants and other CAP measures

Developing commercial viability Agri-environment support alone will not help small- scale farming communities to survive. Important to promote farm income through improved PRODUCTION and MARKETING

Clarifying EU regulations which can otherwise damage small-scale farmer viability Clarification so that authorities have the confidence to apply flexible approach to small-scale producers Booklet with clear information for farmers, producers and for food inspectors Now used by hygiene authorities as a standard document in Romania. EU Commission wishes to replicate.  better links between hygiene authorities and small-scale producers.  Small-scale producers can continue to operate under more flexible approach from hygiene inspectors.

Processing unit developed using minimum conditions for small-scale producers Village processing units authorized at minimum standards are already being replicated in other areas. Full design plans for the model food unit will be published in a manual for free distribution to other interested communities.  Replication of village processing units, authorised at minimum level and so sympathetic to small producers

Traditional land management High value products linked to brand image - cheese, meat, honey, jams, tourism, crafts Marketing: adding value to local products with biodiversity / quality assurance brand   EU local and direct sales

Farmers markets for local products 1 Local products such as cheese, dried/smoked meats, fruits/nuts, traditional bread, jams/honey  Successful markets in 3 cities  Markets sales rose to over € in 2010  Info-centre sales about €2.000/month in 2010 and 2011  70 producers directly benefiting Leading the development of Slow Food movement in Romania

The Commission supports sustainable agriculture that is sensitive to landscapes, wildlife, and responsible food production which in turn affect the quality of the food we eat, the quality of the natural landscapes that give us clean water and clean air, and wonderful places for recreation and a haven for wildlife Know your food, know where it comes from

Influencing EU policy. Consultations by Commission and is contributions to policy: CAP : small farmer package in CAP post-2013, in which small farmers get higher support natural features eligibility to be changed post 2014 so that more land becomes eligible Local partnerships are supported through co-operation measure Quality package Quality package: Commission seeks feedback from European NGOs

Quality Package Guaranteeing quality to consumers and a fair price for farmers Adopted by Commission in late 2010, legislative proposals probably in 2012 Under the Quality Package, Commission has proposed a new scheme, THE LOCAL FARMING AND DIRECT SALES SCHEME, with the EU-wide label “Product from my Farm” AIM: assist small-scale producers to market their products and to communicate the value-adding attributes of the product to consumers, so helping the rural economy. The label must be easy for small farmers to access, and must convey a message to the consumer at the same time. Easier access is made, the less clear the message. There are many areas we must decide where to draw the line. There are number of key problems………..

Product from my Farm - questions How should "product from my farm" be defined? –Should only small farmers/producers be eligible? If so, how should we define a small farm? –Should there be limits to the use of bought-in ingredients or animal feed/feed (feed for cattle sugar for jam,) etc. –If made on farm, does it matter if production facilities are traditional, or modern processing unit? –If processed off farm, such as olive oil, does it still qualify? If so, should there be some criteria such as limited distance from farm to processing facility?

How should "product from my farm" be marketed? –Do the number of intermediaries be limited? At least one intermediary must be acceptable, to allow farm shops to act for a number of producers in a locality, and to allow sale in shops/restaurants in the region. –Should the distance from farm to point of sale be limited (say, must be sold within 100 km of the farm)/ If so, distance selling by internet should still be allowed. Should the scheme be compulsory across the EU, as agri-environment is now? Product from my Farm - questions

Thank you for your attention! Fundatia ADEPT Transylvania