Certification Schemes for Sustainable Agriculture: State of Play and Overview
Explore the current landscape of certification schemes for sustainable agriculture in the EU and key global producing countries. This study evaluates the impact of these schemes on reaching sustainability goals, implementing agricultural policies, and provides insightful policy recommendations. Discover the typology, compliance with CAP standards, and the diverse range of certification schemes influencing the farming sector.
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FARM CERTIFICATION SCHEMES FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: STATE OF PLAY AND OVERVIEW IN THE EU AND IN KEY GLOBAL PRODUCING COUNTRIES Study conducted by AND International Study conducted by AND International for the Committee on Agriculture for the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and Rural Development Policy Department B Policy Department B Structural and Cohesion Policy Structural and Cohesion Policy 31/08/2022 31/08/2022 31/08/2022 1 Presentation for the Committee on Farm certification schemes for sustainable agriculture
Objectives Objectives Map the existing certification schemes (CS); Assess to what extent CS can: help the EU to reach sustainability objectives in the farming sector, be instrumental in the implementation and monitoring of the CAP. Provide policy recommendations. 31/08/2022 2 Presentation for the Committee on Farm certification schemes for sustainable agriculture
Overview of the existing certification Overview of the existing certification schemes (CS) schemes (CS) 198 CS identified (86% from the EU 27). Most of the CS are national (57%), followed by international (24%) and subnational (19%). About 2/3 are set by private entities and 1/3 set by public bodies. Main sectors covered: livestock (28%), F&V (20%), crops (18%) and wine (12%). Some NSPs mention CS to implement the CAP. 31/08/2022 3 Presentation for the Committee on Farm certification schemes for sustainable agriculture
Typology and selection of Typology and selection of 15 schemes 15 schemes Proposed typology : 1. Organic + 2. Good agricultural practices 3. Origin / quality of the final product 4. Animal welfare 5. Traceability / safety 6. Multi-purpose 7. Climate 8. Non-GMO 9. Fair-trade Organic + Good agricultural practices Origin / quality Animal welfare Multi-purpose Climate 31/08/2022 4 Presentation for the Committee on Farm certification schemes for sustainable agriculture
Compliance with CAP conditionality Compliance with CAP conditionality standards (SMRs and GAECs) standards (SMRs and GAECs) Assessment of the compliance with 11 Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs) and 9 Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAECs). Most CS fulfill several GAECs and SMRs, with a broad range of compliance. Few CS cover and go beyond a significant number of GAECs and SMRs : Beter Leven (level 3), HVE (including options), IP Sigill (including options), Leaf and Naturland. 31/08/2022 5 Presentation for the Committee on Farm certification schemes for sustainable agriculture
Compliance with eco Compliance with eco- -schemes and AECM criteria (1/2) criteria (1/2) Eligibility criteria for support under eco-schemes and Agri-environment-climate measures (AECM) are laid down in Regulation (EU) n 2021/2115 22 practices for eco-schemes suggested by DG AGRI (2021) schemes and AECM Background 31/08/2022 6 Presentation for the Committee on Farm certification schemes for sustainable agriculture
Compliance with eco Compliance with eco- -schemes and AECM criteria (2/2) criteria (2/2) Most of the CS cover some of the 22 eco-scheme practices (generally less than 25%), even more for some CS Many eligibility criteria for eco-schemes and AECM are fulfilled by several CS Detailed assessment of some criteria (for instance the environmental added value) shall be further analysed on a case-by-case approach schemes and AECM Results 31/08/2022 7 Presentation for the Committee on Farm certification schemes for sustainable agriculture
CS and the CAP performance framework CS and the CAP performance framework CS do not generally foresee a comprehensive and centralised monitoring system. Use of CS to fulfill the result indicators of the CAP does not sound relevant. 31/08/2022 8 Presentation for the Committee on Farm certification schemes for sustainable agriculture
Possible risks associated to the use of CS Possible risks associated to the use of CS Risk of greenwashing The level of guarantees provided by the different CS, on each environmental and climate area differs greatly (with possible options in the CS). The assessment of the risk of greenwashing must be conducted for each CS. Competition distortion risks A limited risk of competition distortion: CS are generally open to all producers, each CS is generally not compulsory to access a specific market. 31/08/2022 9 Presentation for the Committee on Farm certification schemes for sustainable agriculture
Policy recommendations Policy recommendations Recommendation 1: Encourage the involvement of farmers in the relevant CS, within CAP NSPs, to achieve the EU sustainability objectives. Recommendation 2: Use CS to implement the CAP; in particular for SMRs, GAECs, eco-schemes and AECMs. For instance with: an equivalence programme between CS and CAP instruments, guidelines for the assessment of equivalence. Recommendation 3: Use some CS in the risk analysis for CAP controls, based on a case-by-case assessment. 31/08/2022 10 Presentation for the Committee on Farm certification schemes for sustainable agriculture
