Presentación de Maryline Loquet realizada en el marco del V Seminario Regional de Agricultura y Cambio Climático "Agrobiodiversidad, agricultura familiar y cambio climático", organizado por la FAO y la CEPAL con el apoyo de la Colaboración Francesa, IICA y OXFAM (20 y 21 de agosto de 2014).

1. French Ministry of agriculture
maryline.loquet@agricultura.gouv.fr
Santiago 20-21 de agosto de 2014

2. French environemental policies in agriculture: process, management, tools and actions toward double performance

3. Agriculture in France: a quick overview
Cereals
Fruit
Fresh vegetable
Wine
Cow milk
Cattle
68 Mt
2,5 Mt
5,5 Mt
41,3 Mhl
24,5 Mt
19,1 M têtes
•66 million inhabitants, of which less than 1 million people live and work on farms FR (3.3% Full time equivalent employment)
•64 million hectares (Mha)
•51% of the territory = agricultural soils (= 36% cultivated land, grassland always = 15%)
•31% of the metropolitan area = Wooded areas (17 Mha + 8 Mha of rainforest in Guyana)
•1.8% GDP FR in 2012, € 35.8 billion in current prices = agriculture, forestry and fishing

4.  Food production (food security and savety)
 Non-food production (Bioeconomy, Energy)
 Climate: mitigation and adaptation
 Water quality (WFD, Nitrates Directive)
 Biodiversity Conservation (Habitats Directive)
 Soil quality, preservation of land & landscape
 Air Quality (NEC Directive)
 Territorial, economic development, jobs…
=> Goal: Comprehensive approach and "positive" for high-performance systems - Ecosystems = inputs
Agriculture: what are the global issues at stake?

5. What agroecology is?
"Agroecology is to better understand the nature to help them use it" Olivier de Schutter, Special Rapporteur of the United Nations for the right to food
•A science
Agro-ecology: application of ecological science to the study, design and management of sustainable agricultural systems based on diverse practices to optimize favorable natural production process and ensure the sustainability of resources (Adapted from Gliessman, 2007. Wezel al 2009)
•A set of practices
Intensify production while respecting the natural balance by limiting the use of chemical inputs and fossil fuels and focusing on recycling (Adapted from Inter-Network, 2011)
•A social movement
A sustainable agriculture which is environmentally sound, economically efficient, carrying a human development focused particular attention on food security and the health of populations (AgriSud, 2010)

6. The two founding principles of agroecology
Increase biodiversity
•At the plot level: Promote heterogeneous crops to limit the spread of biological aggressors (varietal mixtures, combined cropping -cereals or legumes grassland mixtures-)
•In multi-level plot: Diversify crops to create heterogeneity in time and space (Diversifying rotations, Introduction of legumes, Installing agroecological infrastructure)
•At the production system: Increase the diversity of productions to play on the complementarities between them and self- reliance on inputs (Fertilizing crops with livestock manure, Contribution of food, fodder and litter by the culture system)
•At the landscape level: Habitat for plant species, Shelter and food for wildlife
Enhance biological control
Optimize biological interactions in agroecosystems → foster relationships between natural populations to manage pests (biological control) : Encourage seed predation to prevent weeds, Encourage auxiliary ...

7. ●Enhancement of the economic performance of the farm
●Conservation of natural ressources (soil, water, air) by efficient management of inputs and energy => reliance on positive interactions in the agricultural ecosystem
●Support of biodiversity and biological regulations (agroecological infrastructures, diversification of crop rotation, association of crop species and varieties...)
●Enhancement of self-reliance of animal production systems (feed, sewage, health, selection...)
●Basing farm development preferentially on an systemic approach
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Agro-ecology: what are the issues at stake?

8. ● The agro-ecological project seeks to answer to the many challenges the French agriculture is facing and to provide an ambitious and mobilising perspective
● The goal is to overcome the opposition between different dimensions of agriculture and to promote solutions which combine economic, environmental and sanitary as well as social performance
● It relies on learning from existing pilots & capitalization, on knowledge transfer, training & learning, on incentives
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What are the aims of the agro-ecological Project for France?

9. September 2012 - 2013: driving forces with a strong polical will and defini-tion of a new project for the French agriculture
●September 2012: Launch of the agro-ecological project «Let’s produce differently»
●December 2012 : National Conference and integration of the 7 existing action programmes (action plan to reduce pesticides «Ecophyto», plan for biogas derived from methanisation and nitrogen self-reliance «EMMA»,...)
●June 2013 : Reports of Agreenium (consortium for the international promotion of French research and higher education in agricultural sciences [presented by M. Guillou, INRA)]) and of the General Council of Agriculture, Agri-Food and Forest (CGAAER); first meeting of the national Committee for Monitoring Agro- Ecology
●INRA Conference on 17 October 2013: ambition of reaching a majority of farms being engaged in agro-ecology by 2025
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How? Process

10. 2014: onset of the project by co-construction with the partners
●Beginning of 2014: outlining the project at the ministry for agriculture (identification of «construction sites», courses of action...)
●11 March 2014: first meeting of the steering committee of the agro-ecology project (COPIL)
●Objective: definition of an action plan establishing the actions to be carried out, assignment of their responsible managers as well as definition of the timetable for their realisation
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How? Process

11. ●National Policy and Monitoring Committee, chaired by the Minister: 1-2 meetings per year
●Operational Steering Committee (COPIL): 4-5 meetings per year
●Specific work on each «construction site»
●Intention to co-construct => strong involvement of the stakeholders and of administration at the regional and departmental level
11
How? Management of the project

12. What? Key features of the agro-ecological Project
●Systemic thinking: 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.
●Agro-ecology is not a set of practices or recipies: solutions will have to be diverse and adapted on a case by case basis
●Collective dynamic is a key factor to support the transition to agro-ecology
●It affects not only the farming practices but also the agro-food chain and the rural and territory development
12

13. The «construction site» for the implementation of the agro-ecological Project and the action plan
●Financial support of actions (in particular CAP aids)
●Assistance, teaching and training of farmers
●Criteria, monitoring and evaluation (criteria to identify farms engaged in agro-ecology, monitoring and evaluation of the project, awareness building and training of the ministerial staff …)
●Research and innovation conditions (Promotion of the development of adapted breeds and varieties, promotion of reflection about agro- ecology in the different agri-food sectors at national and regional levels)
●International (knowledge of the agro-ecological project and diffusion of agroecology, cooperation)
●Overseas departments (adaptation to the conditions in overseas departments)
13

14. The «construction site» for the implementation of the agro-ecological Project and the action plan
Financial support
•Adaptation of direct aids (first pillar of the EU CAP)
●Implementation of coupled aids in favour of agro-ecology, especially aids for protein crops
●The greening of the 1st pillar: feasibility of cooperative management of ecological focus areas (EFA)
●Reform of the farm advisory system (FAS)
•Adaption of the public aid for rural development
● Taking into account of agro-ecology with regard to the criteria for modulation of installation aids
● Taking into account of agro-ecology with regard to the orientation of the plan for competition and adaptation of farms
● Guidance and mobilisation in the context of the new agri-environment-climate measures (AECM): systemic measures in favor of sustanable management of natural ressources (water, biodiversity,…) => in favor of adaptation to CC
● Specific measures to promote and maintain Agroforestry, organic production…
14

15. The «construction site» for the implementation of the agro-ecological Project and the action plan
Assistance, teaching and training of farmers
● A new tool with the creation of Economic and environmental interest grouping (GIEE): Recognition of a collective project which seeks double performance ; Grouping of farmers, collective dynamic ; Coming from farmers themselves ; Non-farmers are partners ; Recognition of the project at regional level (cf. The draft law for the future in agriculture, agrofoof and forestry must be adopted in coming september)
● Revisitation of teaching standards and practice (cf. action 1 in the national plan for adaptation to climate change also)…
15

16. The «construction site» for the implementation of the agro-ecological Project and the action plan
Research and innovation
•Mobilize the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) for a productive and sustainable agriculture (botton- up approach)
•Toward a research which meet beeton social demand and family agriculture needs
International
● France is really involved in the international year for family farming:
34 countries (cf. Chile, Brazil, Argentine) and the FAO have endorsed the ministerial statement of support for family farming (cf International agriculture show – February 24 2014)
•France support the organization by the FAO of the coming seminar on agroecology
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17. At the political level:
•UN headquarters summit – September 23, 2014, New York, USA
http://www.un.org/climatechange/summit/
•UNFCCC COP 21/ CMP 11 - Twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties and the eleventh session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol – November 30-December 11, 2015, Bourget, Paris
https://unfccc.int/meetings/unfccc_calendar/items/2655.php?year=2015
http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/politique-etrangere-de-la-france/environnement-et- developpement/conference-paris-climat-2015-cop21/
www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/document147424
At the scientific level:
•International Symposium on Agroecology for Food and Nutrition Security, September 18-19, 2014, Rome, Italia
http://www.fao.org/about/meetings/afns/es/
•3rd International Conference on Biodiversity and the UN Millennium Development Goals - October 29-31, 2014, Aix-en-Provence, France
http://biodiv2014.sciencesconf.org/
•Climate smart agriculture; global science conference – March 16-18, 2015, Montpellier, France
http://csa2015.cirad.fr/index.php/csa2015
•International scientific conference entitled « Our Common Future under Climate Change » - July 7-10, Paris, France
http://www.commonfuture-paris2015.org/about-the-conference
Coming events: save the date!

18. Conclusion
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●A mobilising project for the French agriculture
●To produce better and more, combining economic, environmental and social performance (holistic approach) at farm level as well as territorial level
●Success factors :
–Co-construction with the stakeholders, mobilisation of all stakeholders, at each level
–Definition of measurable objectives
–Importance of regional and local dynamics
–Integration of the entire value-chain, including the agri-food sector

19. MAAF : http://agriculture.gouv.fr/Changement-climatique-2568
MEDDE/ONERC : http://www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/-Impacts-et-adaptation-ONERC-.html
Agence européenne de l'environnement
http://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/climate/national-adaptation-strategies
Universcience : http://www.universcience.fr/climobs/
GIEC (5ème rapport) : http://www.ipcc.ch/
J. -F. SOUSSANA, « S'adapter au changement climatique : Agriculture, écosystèmes et territoires », (2013), Quae
Climator - livre vert (2010) : http://www.avignon.inra.fr/cours_en_ligne_climator
Agence de l'Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l'Energie
http://www.pcet-ademe.fr/content/clarification-des-concepts
Annales des mines « responsabilité et environnement » n°59 (juillet 2010) et n°56 (octobre 2009)
B. SEGUIN, « Coup de chaud sur l’agriculture », (2010), Delachaux et Niestlé
Courrier de la Planète n°89/90 (janvier – juin 2009) : Changement climatique ; s'adapter maintenant
P. RADANNE, « perception des enjeux et l'évolution des comportements face au réchauffement climatique », (2007)
For more information:

20. 20
Agroforestry
Pig farming with straw
Crops rotation and association replacing external fertilizer
Towards Forrage autonomy of cattle breeding
Collective training and transfer of knowledge
Organic farming
Local markets of quality products
Use of biomass for energy and bioeconomy
Thank you for your attention!

21. 21
A new Draft Law
●Currently examined by the Parliament
●To be adopted at last in Autumn 2014
●1st article (framing article) refers to competitiveness and ecological transition
●1st article gives a definition of agroecology
●Adressed issues: economic and environmental performance, preservation of agricultural land & installation,food policy & health security, agricultural teaching, forest management ...
●

22. 22
A new tool : creation of Economic and environmental interest grouping (GIEE)
●Recognition of a collective project which seeks double performance
●Grouping of farmers, collective dynamic
●Coming from farmers themselves ; Non- farmers are partners
●Recognition of the project at regional level
●Overaching criteria and governance : currently designed at the national level (within a multi-stakeholder working group)

23. 23
– The working areas for the implementation of the agro-ecological Project and the action plan

24. 24
Working areas
●Financial support of actions (in particular CAP aids)
●Assistance, teaching and training of farmers
●Criteria, monitoring and evaluation (criteria to identify farms engaged in agro-ecology, monitoring and evaluation of the project, awareness building and training of the ministerial staff …)
●Research and innovation conditions (Promotion of the development of adapted breeds and varieties, promotion of reflection about agro-ecology in the different agri-food sectors at national and regional levels)
●International (knowledge of the agro-ecological project and diffusion of agroecology, cooperation)
●Overseas departments (adaptation to the conditions in overseas departments)

25. 25
1- Financial support of actions
•Adaptation of the public aid for rural development (second pillar of the EU CAP)
●Substantial public support for new agri-environment- climate measures (AECM) and for organic farming
●Taking into account of agro-ecology with regard to the criteria for modulation of installation aids
●Taking into account of agro-ecology in the Plan for competition and adaptation of farms
●...
●Cooperation with the regional authorities in order to take agro- ecology into account in the rural development programmes (RDP, set up by the CAP)

26. 26
1- Financial support for actions
•Adaptation of direct aids (first pillar of the EU CAP)
●Implementation of coupled aids in favour of agro-ecology, especially aids for protein crops
●Feasibility of cooperative management of ecological focus areas (EFA)
●Reform of the farm advisory system (FAS)
...

27. 27
2- Assistance and training of farmers
Mobilisation of agricultural development (1/2)
●Creation of local dynamics for innovation
●Call for proposals funded by the « CASDAR » budget.
●2013 : call for proposal « Collective mobilisation towards agroecology »
- for a budget of 6,7 million euros - preparing the way for the coming economic and environmental interest groupings - April 2014 : 2nd National Conference Sharing knowledge and experiences
- 103 pilot projects selected all over France (3300 farms)

28. 28
2- Assistance and training of farmers
...
•Mobilisation of agricultural development (2/2)
●Mobilisation of the chambers of agriculture to assist farmers in their steps towards to agro-ecology
●Mobilisation of organisations of agricultural and rural development (ONVAR)

29. 29
2- Assistance and training of farmers
•Revisitation of teaching standards and practice
• 3 Avril 2014 : Publication of the Action Plan « Teaching to produce differently »
•Revisitation of technical and economic standards & exploring the dynamics of change
•Development of regional strategies
Education of teachers in agricultural technical vocational training
Mobilise the model farms of the institutions for agricultural education