OpenLobby.EU
Explore

European Agroforestry Federation

EURAF

The European Agroforestry Federation (EURAF) aims to promote the use of trees on farms as well as any kind of silvopastoralism throughout the different environmental regions of Europe.

Lobbying Activity

Response to Alignment of environmental reporting obligations

14 Mar 2018

POSITION PAPER ON ENVIRONMENT REPORTS OBLIGATIONS The European Agroforestry Federation (EURAF) deals with the promotion of agroforestry at European level. Agroforestry is a sustainable land use technique that allows ecointensification, increasing production per unit of land if adequate species are mixed, while improving the delivery of ecosystem services linked to climate change (mitigation and adaptation), biodiversity enhancement and ensuring food security and creating jobs. EURAF considers of extreme importance the harmonization of environment data taken by the different MS linked to the observatories and the different source of information that MS have. However, these data can be improved if research projects developed in the different countries and the data they generate and have generated is organized. This is especially relevant when we try to validate tools linked to the satellite images currently produced (i.e. Sentinel). Moreover, the interpretation of the data and the best approach for fulfilling current EU commitments (i.e. Sustainable Development Goals) should be based on what is taken by member states and produced under research and innovation projects. However, the lack of availability of data, both, from an environment, but also from a policy point of view (i.e. LPIS information) prevents for further development of adequate policies at global level. Therefore, while considering extremely important this initiative, EURAF considers that the environment report obligations should, among other aspects envisage the following: a) Foster better links among data coming from MS (i.e. climate stations, nitrate control ) and research projects dealing with environment variables, which will improve the quality and usefulness of the data already available. b) Foster the availability of data for researchers and policy makers. Current ICT methodologies allow squeezing better the data to obtain more targeted policies. c) There is a need of organize the system in data supply and data use. We do hope these recommendations fits in the development of the pursued documents. Please do not hesitate to contact us if new requests are needed
Read full response

Response to Global Pact for the Environment

14 Mar 2018

Agroforestry identified as “the deliberate integration of woody vegetation (trees and/or shrubs) as an upper storey on land, with pasture (consumed by animals) or an agricultural crop in the lower storey. The woody species can be evenly or unevenly distributed or occur on the border of plots. The woody species can deliver forestry or agricultural products or other ecosystem services (i.e. provisioning, regulating or cultural)”. Agroforestry can take place at a range of scales (e.g. plot, farm and landscape). At farm and landscape scale it can be implemented in systems that are able to diversify production (e.g. food, forage, timber and fuel wood), provide ecosystem services (e.g. soil restoration, water preservation, climate regulation, and biodiversity enhancement), thus increasing both resilience and profitability. Agroforestry is a sustainable land use system that fulfills those Global, pan-European and EU organizations and agreements delivering policies relevant for agroforestry The European Agroforestry federation envisages the European Commission to support agroforestry all over the world as a form to protect environment and contribute to mitigate and adapt agricultural systems to climate change. In the FAO book recently published by Buttoud (2013) it has been highlighted the importance of agroforestry in “Smart Climate Agriculture” (Buttoud 2013). Agroforestry is considered to be a more effective mitigation and adaptation technique to improve food security, than practices such as pasture and grazing management, animal breeding, animal husbandry and health and weather indexed insurance. However the main constraints to the adoption of agroforestry were related to technical and economic issues. In the FAO (2013) book, it is mentioned that “private actors (i.e. multinational businesses) seeking to offset their carbon footprints by purchasing emission reductions on the carbon markets represent a viable source of financing for agricultural climate change mitigation projects, including those that promote agroforestry”. The area of agroforestry is seen as an indicator of the Climate Smart Agriculture adoption in farms. For Buttoud (2013), agroforestry promotion should be enacted as a method to: protect and sustain agricultural productive capacity, ensure food diversity and seasonal nutritional security, diversify rural incomes, strengthen resilience to climatic fluctuations and perpetuate local knowledge and social and cultural values. Main advantages of Agroforestry linked to the circular economy from an environment point of view are related to the management of natural resources sustainability, reduction of dependence of renewable resources and the mitigation and adaptation to climate change. Management of natural resources sustainably, The presence of woody perennials in agricultural lands increases the nutrient recycling and therefore the provision of nutrient for the crops. Moreover the tree is also able to capture the excess of nutrients applied through fertilization and recycle it of the crops. Sun radiation use is also increased, which is t
Read full response

Response to Evaluation of the impact of the CAP on generational renewal, local development and jobs in rural areas

8 Mar 2018

POSITION PAPER ON EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF THE CAP ON GENERATIONAL RENEWAL LOCAL DEVELOPMENT AN JOBS IN RURAL AREAS The European Agroforestry Federation (EURAF) deals with the promotion of agroforestry at European level. Agroforestry is a sustainable land use technique that allows ecointensification, increasing production per unit of land if adequate species are mixed, while improving the delivery of ecosystem services linked to climate change (mitigation and adaptation), biodiversity enhancement and ensuring food security and creating jobs. EURAF considers highly relevant to address young generations to ensure adequate agriculture sustainability and development. By reading the initial document on “Evaluation of the impact of the CAP on generational renewal, local development and jobs in rural areas” we would like to strongly recommend considering the following aspects a) There is a need of education on sustainable land use systems such as agroforestry and mixed farming systems among young farmers that is not specifically mentioned in the text. This education will be the basis for the sustainable land use in the future of agriculture in Europe. b) There is a need for exchange of knowledge among different generations, in order to put on board traditional knowledge that may be improved through the implementation of new knowledge and techniques. c) There is a strong need for a better advisory service system, linked to universities and research centers as source of knowledge for sustainable land use systems. d) It is necessary to strengthen the link between farmers and consumers, because this kind of productive system lead to added value products compared toconventional/industrial agriculture. e) The previous point requires establishing channels of communication between all the stakeholders involved in food production and at the same level, promoting some educational courses at school level to teach new generations about the food quality characteristics. We do hope these recommendations fit in the development of the pursued documents. Please do not hesitate to contact us if new requests are needed. (mrosa.mosquera.losada@usc.es) María Rosa Mosquera-Losada EURAF President
Read full response