http://www.fao.org/europe/events/detail-events/en/c/429132/ Presentation of Pierre Schwartz, from the French Government, outlining the agroecology project in France. He discussed the redesign of animal production systems. The presentation was prepared and delivered in occasion of the Regional Symposium on Agroecology in Europe and Central Asia, held in Budapest, Hungary on 23-25 November 2016.

1. 1
The agroecology project in France
24 November 2016

2. 2
Agroecology: the key principles
● Systemic approach: 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.
● Reliance on positive interactions in the agricultural ecosystem
=> conservation and improvement of natural ressources (soil,
water, air) by efficient management of inputs, energy and crops
● Enhancement of biodiversity and biological regulations
(agroecological infrastructures, diversification of crop rotation,
association of crop species...)
● Enhancement of the economic performance of the farm
● Enhancement of farm autonomy: seek to complete bio- and
geochemical cycles (water, nitrogen, etc.)

3. 3
A strong political will
● Launched in December 2012 by
Stephane Le Foll, Minister of
Agriculture
● National Conference "Let’s
produce differently" – 18.12.2012
● 17.10.2014 : Law on the future of
agriculture, food and forestry =
definition of agroecology
● Integration of 8 existing specific
action plans :
Ecoantibio (2012-2017), Ecophyto II (review in autumn 2015), EMAA
(energy methanisation self-sufficiency & nitrogen), Seed and
sustainable agriculture, Ambition bio 2017, Protein crops,
Agroforestry (launched in December 2015), Bee-keeping (extended
into 2017)
● Set the objective of a majority of French farmers adopting
agroecology practices by 2025

4. 4
A public policy and a collective project
● A threefold public policy:
● To make explicit an ambitious and mobilizing perspective
for agriculture => to produce more and better
● To organize a collective governance through a steering
committee with the main stakeholders of the sector
● To define and to implement a collective and
comprehensive action plan (16 chapters; more than 70
actions; for each action: a pilot, a timetable, milestones
and monitoring indicators)
● Modification of the other policies from this new
perspective => change the supports to farmers to
strengthen the incentive for agroecology, change the
training, etc.

5. 5
● Systemic thinking: all issues must be dealt with all
together => promote agricultural practices which are
simultaneously positive for economic, environmental,
sanitary and social performances
● Agro-ecology is not a set of practices or recipes:
solutions are diverse and must be adapted on a case by
case basis
● Efficiency → substitution → reconception => different
situations but every farmer is concerned
● Collective dynamic is a key factor to support the
transition to agro-ecology
● Deals not only with the farming practices but also the agri-
food chain and the rural and territory development
Key features of the agroecology Project

6. 6
The definition in the Law
● Aim of public policies: to promote and to ensure
the long term viability of the agroecological
system combining economic, environmental and
social high performance
● Farm self-sufficiency, with improvements in their
competitiveness (increased profitability and value-
added plus reduced use of inputs)
● Based on positive biological interactions and
on the use of ecosystemic services
● Contribute to the reduction of and adaptation to
the impact of climate change

7. 7
Project governance
● A steering committee with the main stakeholders and
partners (describe and monitor actions)
● Preparation in a ministerial committee
● 16 chapters in the action plan, more than 70 actions. For
each action : a pilot, a timetable, milestones and
monitoring indicators
● National orientations and monitoring committee: meeting
chaired by the minister once a year

8. 8
The action plan and its first
accomplishments

9. 9
● Training for farmers: training programmes and
educational frameworks are being adapted to include
agroecology-related knowledge more effectively
● Mobilisation of research and research & development:
use the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) to
strengthen innovation and the diffusion of agroecological
knowledge and practices
● Creation of an agroecological assessment tool: free use
and anonymous. It allows farmers to measure their
practices and performances and to compare them with
those of other farmers.
(www.diagagroeco.org)
Implementation of the action plan: some
examples

10. 10
● Renewal of public support: investment subsidies are
geared towards agroecological oriented projects, support for
setting up of young farmers is increased for agroecological
projects, coupled support for the production of protein crops,
etc.
● Creation of economic and environmental interest
groups: new legal tool, allowing grouping of farmers and
implementation of a collective project to change practices on
the farms (GIEE)
● Implementation of regular monitoring and evaluation: the
results and impact of the action plan are included in an
annual report and indicators are used to monitor the
progress achieved
Implementation of the action plan: some
examples

11. 11
Focus : GIEEs economic and
environmental interest groups
● Voluntary groups of farmers organised around a
shared project for improving or consolidating their
farming methods in order to improve their economic,
environmental and social performance
● Recognition at the regional level following a call for
proposal
● More than 300 GIEEs granted recognition by 1
October 2016 (more than 5000 farmers)
● Wide variety of types of production and partners
(technical, research, etc...)

12. 12
Example : Westhalten GIEE
● A collective approach to in wine-growing to cease using of
herbicide and to prevent soil erosion
● A project constructed by and between winegrowers, INRA
researchers and environmental organizations
● Local plant species (from the protected area) grown
between the row
● First results : improved solidarity between winegrowers
and an enhanced image for the latter

13. 13
International level
● FAO work programme after the symposium in
September 2014
● Some supports for cooperation projects
(FFEM)
● The 4/1000 initiative, soils for food security and
climate, (voluntary action plan under the Lima
Paris Agenda for Action)

14. 14
Ecophyto plan
● Targets for reduction
– - 25% by 2020
– - 50% by 2025
● Results
● DEPHY Farm network: a group of farms
supported by an engineer conducting
trials of certain farming practices
directed at reduced use of pesticides
(1900 farms already, total currently
rising to 3000)
● DEPHY “Expé” network: design and
evaluation of farming systems with the
aim of making major reductions in use
of pesticides

15. 15
Results
● Despite increased frequency of use in France
(+5.8% between 2011-2013 and 2012-2014),
a decrease in the “Farm” network between
2012 and 2014
Production Decrease of treatment
frequency index
Crops and farms with combining crops
and livestock
10%
Fruit and wine growing 12%
Vegetable growing 15%
horticulture 38%
Sugar-cane 22%

16. 16
“Ambition bio” 2017: targets
● An overall goal to double the percentage of
organically managed land by the end of 2017 (from
4% to 8%) alongside an ambitious target for the
development of consumption
● Renewed impetus for balanced development and
structuring of all sectors
● Implementation of a new form of governance at the
regional level
● A programme of actions aligned with the agroecology
project for France

17. 17
The organic agriculture sector in 2015
Organic operators Organic land area
28,884 farms ( + 9% in 2015)
6.5% of French farms
1.375 million Ha ( + 23 % in 2015) =>
1 m certified , 0.3 m in conversion
13,528 processors, retail, import and
export companies (+5% in 2015)
5.1% of national utilised agriculture
area
Total of 42,412 operators (+ 8 % in
2015)
Organic market Jobs (full time)
€ 5.76 Billions in 2015 (+14,7%
increase in 2015)
69,000 jobs on farms (10% of
agricultural jobs)
Including € 225 millions in organic
supply to collective catering (+18%
increase in 2015)
30,000 jobs in processing and
distribution
9 french consumers out of every 10
eat organic food
2,000 jobs in controls, advice,
research, training, etc….
65% are regular organic consumers (at
once by month)
More than 100,000 jobs in France

18. 18
Conclusion
● An inspirational project for French agriculture in the
medium term but one already able to point to concrete
achievements
● Using a diversity of levers
● Based on innovations : in the practices, in a systemic
vision of the farm, in organization
● The need now is to involve actors downstream and provide
better information for consumers and the general public on
the transition processes under way in French agriculture

19. 19
Thanks for your attention.
Pierre SCHWARTZ
Head of Environmental Performance and Territorial
Development Department – « Agroecology » Project
manager
General Directorate for the Economic and
Environnemental Performance of Entreprises
French Ministry of Agriculture
3, rue Barbet de Jouy 75349 PARIS 07 SP FRANCE
Tel : 00 33 1 49 55 45 39
Mail : pierre.schwartz@agriculture.gouv.fr
Site Internet : http://agriculture.gouv.fr/