1. Integrated Farming (IF) Sustainable Agriculture
The Way Forward
to Achieve
Sustainable Agriculture
EISA Meeting with Ms Alina-Stefania Ujupan
& Mr Yves Madre
Members of Cabinet of Commissioner Ciolos,
European Commission
Brussels, 22 November 2010 1 1

2. LEAF’s Roots EISA works from the ground upwards
EISA provides practical solutions
to deliver sustainable agriculture 2 2

3. united to deliver Sustainable Agriculture
EISA Members
Founded in 2001 as an alliance of
National Associations for the Promotion of Integrated Farming (IF),
with now associations from 6 EU Member States as Full Members
Austria France Germany Luxembourg Sweden UK
united to deliver Sustainable Agriculture
EISA’s members pursue different ways to achieve the common objective of developing & promoting IF in their respective countries.
Most of them co-operate closely with their national farmers associations.
They are of different size & do not receive the same political/administrative support.
Structure = classic model of EU associations.
Budget = member subscriptions.
Open to any supporter of IF & co-operating with stakeholders.
+ 7 National / European / International Associations
from the farm supply chain as Associated Members:
ECPA - EFMA - ELO - FEFAC - GOSZ - IFAH-Europe - SAI Platform 3 3

4. Integrated Farming – in practice
Making
a living
Water
Efficiency
Energy
Efficiency
Crop
Husbandry
Soil
Management
Pollution
Control
Wildlife &
Landscape
PR &
Marketing
Animal
Husbandry

5. EISA’s approach to Integrated Farming in practice
Integrated Farming – A Planned Approach:
Whole Farm Management Plans
- conservation
- nutrient management
- herd health
- energy & water use, etc.
Tool for self-assessment, management and auditing
- developed with scientists, farmers and environmentalists
Network of demonstration farms
Communicating with the public
Training & Skills development 5 5

6. EISA’s Achievements European definition of IF
detailed description of IF and IF processes
show where IF goes beyond CC/GAEC (= baseline)
Whole farm management (11 chapters)
Practical Reference tool for
politicians / administrations
farmers
industry and environmentalists 6 6

7. EISA’s Achievements Guidance & Information in three languages
Farmers version:
Management tool, to raise awareness, allow for self-assessment and achieve continuous everyday improvement on-farm
Version for Policy / Administration:
Providing the basis for a common and Europe-wide understanding & application
Templates:
One page papers on issues such as climate change, consumer demands, animal husbandry and health, soil management, crop protection ...
... With practical solutions to these issues through the adoption of Integrated Farming 7 7

8. EISA’s Achievements A network of demonstration farms:
delivering sustainable farming in practice through the development and promotion of Integrated Farming
Over 450 demonstration sites throughout:
• Austria
• France
• Germany
• Luxembourg
• Sweden
• UK
Reaching out to over one million visitors each year! 8 8

9. EISA Demonstration Sites
Sharing information
Making change happen
Practical solutions to deliver sustainable farming
Active knowledge exchange
Improved performance for the farm business, the environment & society 9 9

10. Delivering Change through IF
Nitrate content of 3 drinking water wells (mg/l) 10 10

11. Delivering Change through IF
cool
Management of the un-cropped areas to provide nesting sites and food along with some targeted control of predators during the breeding season allowed for a dramatic increase in farmland bird numbers in just a three year period! 11 11

12. Delivering change through IF
program “Agriculture and Biodiversity”
jointly initiated by LPO, FARRE, CIVAM and FNAB,
extensive consultation
involvement of farmers from more than 130 farms in 18 different French regions
publication of 14 information sheets
with strategies, tools and measures to improve biodiversity on farms
have since been used intensively 12 12

13. Delivering change through IF
Close liaison with researchers:
Building on science and working with many partners EISA members help deliver research into practice out on farm
Stakeholder engagement:
Facilitating discussion to achieve practical, realistic and achievable ways to deliver sustainable agriculture across Europe
Public involvement:
Engaging consumers and contributors across Europe through events and visits. Open Farm Sunday in the UK has welcomed over ¾ million consumers out on to farm
Farmer stands and displays in Paris have engaged with thousands
Market focus:
Adding value to farmers who deliver a better environment through the market place as with LEAF Marque 13 13

14. EISA supporting the CAP towards 2020
Integrated Farming offers tools to achieve objectives outlined in the EU-Communication” as of 29/09/2010, as ...
... Integrated Farming is targeted at
the efficient and responsible use of all natural resources,
reliable, secure, high quality food supply,
reducing negative environmental effects such as GHG emissions ,
sustaining farm incomes,
education, training and solid management capabilities,
diversification of farming businesses according to site and situation
keeping rural areas and landscapes in Europe alive. 14 14

15. EISA supporting the CAP towards 2020
Integrated Farming (IF) is based on an educated management approach which decides according to a given site and situation.
Providing farmers / advisors and authorities throughout Europe with adequate training, information and tools will help to foster sustainable development on farms.
Efficient resource use through IF contributes to smart growth and sustainable growth as outlined in chapter 4 of the EU-Communication.
The IF concept as developed by EISA in dialogue with a wide variety of stakeholders is readily available to be taken up by EU bodies and to be used throughout Europe. 15 15

16. Integrated Farming offers Solutions to …
EU & national decision-makers
Climate Change
Soil Conservation
Farmers
Protecting & enhancing the environment & our key resources
Providing economic sustainability on the farm
Leading the way in compliance & climate change solutions
Consumers
Engaging with consumers to meet global demand for quality, healthy & safe food
Building trust and understanding in the achievements of agriculture
Biodiversity
Water Management
IPM … 16 16

17. EISA’s offer to the Commission
Our Demonstration Farm Network:
Demonstrating and communicating modern and sustainable farming to all interested stakeholders
Explaining EU and national agricultural policies
Demonstrating means, measures, and tools of sustainable agriculture to farmers / advisors
By means of ...
open farm days
visits
farmers‘ exchanges, round tables, IF seminars, training 17 17

18. EISA’s offer to the Commission
Farmers Version of the EISA Framework:
a tool to raise awareness of the individual farmer
a tool for self-assessment of individual farmers
a teaching tool for advisors / advisory services
a tool for practical agricultural education
a means of communication in the food chain
To be used throughout the EU. 18 18

19. EISA’s offer to the Commission
EISA and its members are committed to bringing Integrated Farming forward throughout Europe to deliver sustainable food & farming.
We offer our active involvement in the process of spreading the “Integrated Farming message”
We provide the EISA material (IF Framework, Farmers Version, Version for Policy and Administration, Templates) as a basis for further activities and communication
We offer our Demonstration Farm network for national and European Farmers’ Exchange Programmes, IF seminars, Farm Visits 19 19

20. Supporting EISA to help deliver change
EU bodies
recognize IF as a practical approach to sustainable agriculture
support and foster the development & promotion of IF EU-wide
i.e. through (co-)sponsoring the dissemination of EISA’s tools including Farmers Version of the IF Framework
translation into various EU languages (handy brochures)
targeted distribution in selected countries via national administration and farming associations
Support (financial & promotion) for the further development of the EISA Demonstration Farm Network 20 20

21. Supporting EISA to help deliver change
EU bodies
support the development & promotion of Integrated Farming actively EU-wide, e.g. through :
Financial support for the creation of IF associations in countries where there is a need and interest (Poland, Hungary, Slovac Republic, etc…)
Support for seminars in these countries, targeted at administration, advisors / advisory services, farmers, and potential members of national IF associations. 21 21

22. Investing in the Future22 22

23. Thank you! EISA - Delivering Change
We would like to invite the Commissioner and his Cabinet to visit our demonstration farms
Contact Mr Robby Schreiber,
Tel: 02 / 23 23