Features
A recipe for excellence
The European GMO-Free Regions Network held their third conference on Non-GM labels, Quality Productions and European Regional Agricultures in Brussels on 3rd to 4th February, 2010. Representation from Ireland consisted of a delegation from the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA), the ever-committed Michael O’Callaghan from GM-free Ireland and Stiofán Nutty, special advisor to Minister Sargent.
The conference was of specific relevance to the Irish representation due to the inclusion in the Programme for Government of a voluntary GM-free label and the existing commitment to keep Ireland free from GM cultivation. The experiences from other regions and the feasibility of maintaining a constant supply of nonGM soy, including additional feed costs, if any, was particularly relevant. If attending the event was only to weed out (no pun intended) and separate the myriad propaganda surrounding this subject and establish some sound facts and realities, then my expectations were well exceeded.
Overall this was an excellent event, packed with informative presentations by representatives from all over Europe and outside of the EU. There were over 55 presentations over two days and this is just an overview of the nontechnical aspects. Further information is available on www.gmo-free-regions.org.
Meeting Demand
The focal point, as the title suggests, was on the labelling aspect of GMO in animal feed, the supply of certified GM-free soy and the potential for protein independence for feed. The first day mainly focused on outlining the various regional development criteria and opportunities for non-GM agriculture. Speakers identified the economic value for rural regions to continue to concentrate on nonGM cultivation. This approach necessitates strategic planning in order to facilitate the production of high quality produce that will enhance both the composition of local food as well as complement the rural economy. Availability of certified non-GM soy to supply the EU dominated the latter part of day one. New and emerging suppliers of non-GM soy, such as India and Ukraine, clearly illustrated their capacity to meet EU demands, as did highly reputable companies in the business of certification.
The following day expanded on the land management of high nature value non-GM regions as well as hearing from producers, mainly red meat and dairy, involved in co-operative movements and specialists in native breeds. The commitment and engagement of the producer at every stage of the food process was inspiring to say the least.
It was a pleasure to listen to the producers’ expertise, from the traceability of feeding stuffs, specialist grass varieties, soil management, rearing of livestock, the food process, up to the finished product sold direct to the consumer. This was an exceptional demonstration from producers of their comprehensive knowledge of each production stage to produce exquisite food resulting from excellent farming practices.
Consumers were subsequently informed as to the real value of the produce by making best use of marketing standards, geographical indications, organic and GMfree labels and superb branding.
Regional Quality
An over arching element was the need to define quality with associated provenance. Consumer perception of quality and what criteria they used to define it was considered to be of increasing importance. Taste, health and authenticity of local food clearly enhanced the image, but the need to have quality certified was essential to validation.
Guy Palluy, Vice-President of agricultural and rural development for the Rhone-Alpes region explained how this area is the second largest French region, consisting of 10% of the French population (6 million inhabitants) and 35% of the land utilised in agriculture. The entire region is free from GM cultivation. They hold 120 quality labels and 15 geographical indications, 1,300 organic farms and 30% of all farms covered by an official quality label – a label recognised for its integrity and quality. He explained the importance for producers to network. Using the example of ‘Uni Ferme’ he explained the means by which farm co-operation works, how they went against all the trends, and best of all, how successful it has been for all involved including the producer and consumer.
Daniele Govi, Director of Crop Production in the Emilia Romagna region, spoke about their agriculture and regional control of quality. This region of east Italy consists of just over 1 million hectares, 82,000 farms, 9 provinces, 30 food denominations (that’s 20% of the entire Italian denominations) and 49,000 organic farms. The integrated criteria for the Emilia Romagna regional label covers human health and production, strictly prohibits GMOs or use of GMO products and includes the entire food chain, right up to sale. Many of the organic products were making use of the GM-free label as well as the organic certification logo. Obviously, a prerequisite for organic production, it is interesting to see how it adds value to an already premium product.
GMO-Free Labelling
Ferruccio Luciani, manager of food quality for the Marche region, continued the Italian theme with his presentation on Italy’s quality brand. The brand is not restricted to just food, but includes and incorporates the agri-tourism business, linking into services within the local area and beyond. The quality mark makes use of a comprehensive software package, compulsory for traceability purposes. The standard format covers various products from livestock and crops to ingredients and processing aids, all with GMOs prohibited. What differentiates this from other quality marks is its flexibility to link into other systems and its quality control mechanisms.
For example, to ensure both the traceability and freshness of a fish, a ‘block’ occurs 36 hours after harvest which means the fish can no longer be sold. To many producers this might sound like a burdensome quality control, but this really works in reassuring the purchaser as to the freshness of local produce. For a region so heavily reliant on food-tourism, it’s not hard to see how this model of quality control benefits an area and protects its reputation for fine food.
France doesn’t have the same flexibility as Italy in its approach to GM-free requirements. Instead, as a rule, they have to follow major trends, explained Pascal Loget Vice-President of the Brittany region. France has only recently adopted the introduction of a GM-free label. To prepare for the change in national labelling legislation, Brittany is promoting GM-free labels such as ‘Animaux d’OGM’ to indicate animals are not fed on ingredients containing GMOs. The Loire valley is setting up a similar project. Clearly, they are responding to the overwhelming evidence that many millions of European consumers do not want and will never accept GM ingredients either directly or indirectly via animal products.
The market is apparent and it couldn’t be more obvious. Any country not seeking to make best use of a GM-free voluntary label is missing out on the potential to explore a premium market. This point was communicated in the ICSA presentation, pointing out that Ireland must not limit its current or future market and should make available a voluntary GM-free label for those who wish to use it.
Feed Supply and Premuims
Presentations concerning the supply of GM-free feed and the need for nutrient-rich alternatives to soy to ensure protein independence all echoed a common theme – the need to have and maintain a network of certified GM-free cereal producers and distributors.
Some speakers referred to the difficulty in replacing protein rich soy in feed and having no alternative but to use GM-free soy. Others, such as French livestock producers from the Limousin area, have developed natural grasslands to reduce dependency on compound feed. Their mix of land, nutrient and nitrogen management is proving to be highly successful, providing production systems that are modified to suit resources, and they have achieved independence in feed.
The additional costs of €15 per tonne for certified non-GM soy was generally considered to be easily offset by the additional premium for the product, as long as a label could be used to add value. The capacity of GM-free soy was not really an issue, as there are sufficient supplies. Soy independence, however, was much more difficult to achieve, depending on location, soil quality and production system used.
Achieving even more of a premium, above that of GM-free, was considered by some regions to be the desired route to take, integrated with strong branding. This would require labelling to have environmental criteria that depict sustainable agriculture and incorporates a quality approach to farming. This aspect was reiterated by the successful French certifying company, ‘Label Rouge’, (currently this label does not signify GM-free). They explained that even aspects of on-farm renewable energy should be included as environmental criteria, so as to relay to the consumer the level to which the farmer has gone to look after the countryside.
Encouraging a viable agriculture system that would see a future for young farmers keen to adopt a GM-free sustainable approach was also an intrinsic requirment. John Fagan from Cert ID continued with this approach in applying certification to verify quality, social and environmental sustainability, including GM-free.
Premium Market
The core message was possibly best highlighted by the additional cost to the consumer. The premium on chicken, if fed a GM-free diet, is between 6 cents and 10 cents per kilo. This includes the additional factory costs to prevent cross contamination, additional feed costs and relevant analysis. It was quite obvious from the experience of the speakers who have already gone down this route that there is a premium that consumers are willing to pay. High quality feed for better quality produce for the everyday consumer – this message was repeated with every new speaker, from Germany, Spain, Menorca, Austria and Italy, to name but a few. Many are key agricultural players in Europe, urging regional industry to seek GM-free suppliers, and to work together to make plans and strategies to make this happen.
A recipe for excellence: Certified GM-free food with associated provenance, farmed in a sustainable way (preferably organic but not compulsory); add a big bunch of enthusiasm and supply to a growth market.
Gillian Westbrook has been appointed to the new position of
General Manager with IOFGA. Coming from a background in the regulatory area...
