1. Seikatsu Club Consumers’ Co-operative Union Contents 1.Who is Seikatsu Club? 2.Creating an alternative economy 3.Food security and food sovereignty Seikatsu Club Movement as "a Consumer who produces" October 18, 2011 Workshop6: Farmers and the Consumer Movement: A Reconcilable Vision in Food Security and Sovereignty?

2. 1. Who is the Seikatsu Club? Seikatsu Club started in 1965 as a voluntary association by 200 women who wanted to reform their lives and local community. Seikatsu Club Consumers’ Coop incorporated in 1968. In 2011, 32 local Seikatsu Club Consumers’ Coops in 21 prefectures, they affiliate to Seikatsu Club Union.

3. Facts and Figures (2010) Numbers of Members 350,000 Annual Sales86.6bil. yen (US$ 1,1 bil.) Amount of Investment 35bil. yen (US$455m.)

4. 2. Creating an Alternative Economy “A consumer who produces” Development of “Consumer materials” With participation of members. The specification of food and other consumer goods is decided in cooperation with the producers.

5. Pre-order Collective Purchase Well planned production and supply. The purchase of safer goods at fair prices. 3 Collective purchase models. - “Han”—Group buying - “Individual delivery” - “Depot”–- Shop style

6. Solidarity with Producers Producer cost guarantee system. Purchasing contracted amount of produce. Members and producers visit each other. Assist the farmers in agricultural works.

7. 3. Food Security and Food Sovereignty Seikatsu Club Principle 10 principles on safety, health and the environment 1. Pursuit of safety for consumer materials 2. Raising self-sufficiency in food 3. Reduction of harmful substances 4. Sustainable use of natural resources 5. Reduction of waste and promotion of reuse 6. Reduction of energy use 7. Reduction of risk 8. Information disclosure 9. Independent control and auditing 10. Participation

8. Independent Control and Auditing system Different from other general quality control standards --- producers aim higher level in cooperation with Seikatsu Club members. Setting independent standards. Disclosure of the information. “Mass Independent Control” --Through study session and on-spot inspection. --790 independent audits by 6500 Seikatsu Club members (2007-2010)

9. Seikatsu Club Avoids Using GMO Foods and Crops Removing GMO materials from most food including animal feed. Full labeling system. “GMO Free Zone Movement” The Feed Rice Project( 2004~) Domestic rape seed flowers for oil.

10. The proposal from Seikatsu Club Important things for society---Local and citizen sovereignty, Autonomy, Self determination and management. Our objectives are; Sustainable growth--We are more active with regards to production techniques, quality and pricing. To share with producers –the risk of time, space, cost…

11. Our challenge for the future Facing the earthquake, Tsunami and Fukushima nuclear power plant accident

12. Thank you Yangja SUH Seikatsu Club Consumers’ Co-operative Group s-yang@prics.net http://www.seikatsuclub.coop/