Dear Members, Friends, and newsletter readers,

The last five years have been very intensive for TP organics. Since its public launch on 2 December 2008 the platform has grown from strength to strength representing 28 EU umbrella organisations, more than 250 SMEs, scientists and academics from all around Europe and international partners. For a full list of collaborators please visit website. During these years TP Organics has proved to be an important lobby tool for the development of organic food and farming sector: our Vision, our Strategic Research Agenda and our Implementation Action Plan have charted a course for a better, richer and more efficient research that can solve sectoral challenges. Finally our commitments have been recognised and I have the pleasure

to inform you that on 12 July we received a communication from the

European Commission - General Directorate for Research and

Innovation - that TP Organics is now officially recognised as the

European Technology Research Platform for organic food and

farming and will be involved in the development and implementation

of the next framework programme “Horizon 2020”.

This is a great success for the platform and for all the people who helped us in making it happen. I would like to thank all the farmers, processors, traders, scientists, experts, members of the European and national parliaments, European and national Institutions, national platforms, donors and all those who financially and in-kind supported the platform’s development – Thank you!!! This recognition represents an important milestone, but while it is not the arrival point it is a new starting line. We all must continue to create innovative and new solutions for the food and farming sector; as discussed during our Stakeholder Forum (see below a short report) it is time to revise our strategy and to better discuss and define how researchers and practitioners can work together in order to translation research into practice outcomes.

I am looking forward to reaching new and inspiring goals together and wish you a nice reinvigorating and relaxing summer break, so that you are ready to participate in our activities in September.

In the spotlight

Future farmers in the Spotlight

Latest from TP Organics

Stakeholder Forum Agroecological innovation in EIP

for Agriculture New colleague: introduction of

Marie-Chiara Tort Latest from Brussels

Update on Horizon 2020 Update in European Innovation

Partnership (EIP) Call for eco-innovation New call for COST Actions Call for expressions of interest

2012-2015 (CEI/AMI) Upcoming Events

4th International Conference on Organic Agriculture Sciences

Multitrust International Conference - Aarhus University

Review of Events

Agro-ecology Conference Second CORE Organic II research

seminar 1st meeting EMEG Launch of the Montpellier Panel

Report 2013 International Conference on

European AR & Global Challenges

News from our members

CO-free project seeks alternatives for copper

TP Organics supporters

Become a supporter!

TP Organics newsletter 02 - 2013

Content summary:

All the best, Eduardo Cuoco TP Organics - Strategic Relations Manager

Credits

TP Organics Newsletter is published and edited by TP Organics Editor: Eduardo Cuoco Authors: Eduardo Cuoco, Bram Moeskops, Marie-Chiara Tort Marco Schlüter To remove your name from our mailing list, please send an email to: info@tporganics.eu “subject: no newsletter” Questions or comments? E-mail us at info@tporganics.eu or visit www.tporganics.eu

Future farmers in the Spotlight – Success stories from and for the next generation of organic farmers Future Farmers in the Spotlight is a video project about successful young farmers that - despite the many difficulties - have managed to set-up or to take over a sustainable farming business. Most of the farmers within the project have adopted innovative concepts to market their produce, explore niche markets, diversify economic activities, start “new” relations with consumers and make use of innovative ways to get access to land and capital. The video clips give insight in the diversity of farming concepts developed by young people in Europe and inspire the next generation of farmers with examples of how to set up a sustainable and viable farming business that is fit for the future.

One of the young innovative farmers is the Dutch arable farmer Krispijn van den Dries (28). Step by step he is taking over the 70 hectare family farm from his father. He works towards more transparency in the food chain by (re)connecting the farmer and the consumer. Together with 8 other farmers in his region he has set up a mail order company that allows people to order fresh potatoes and vegetables over the internet. Krispijn “In this way I can sell my produce for reasonable price, but also the consumer save money compared to what they would pay in the supermarket.” Krispijn “Currently I only sell a few percent of my produce through the web shop, but in the future I hope to sell all my produce directly to the consumer.” Watch the clip about Krispijn here!

So far Future Farmers in the Spotlight features inspiring stories from Ireland, Denmark, Germany, The

In the spotlight - Let’s start the Summer newsletter with an inspiring and positive project …

Netherlands and Norway which can be watched online. For 2013/2014 film shootings are planned in Southern and Eastern European countries.

More information about Future farmers in the Spotlight: Webpage / Facebook / Twitter

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Stakeholder Forum 2013 – Organic solutions for sustainable agriculture, European Parliament Brussels, 25th June

TP Organics' Stakeholder forum

On 25 June, TP Organics' stakeholders discussed the priorities of the platform in view of the new EU research & innovation policy. The stakeholder forum was hosted by Paolo De Castro, chair of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee.

At the forum, TP Organics' recent and future policy documents were presented and participants were asked to provide comments:

TP Organics' priority topics for the Work Programme 2014 / 2015 of Horizon 2020

TP Organics has prepared a list of 13 priority topics for the first Work Programme of Horizon 2020. Out of these topics, participants stressed in particular the need for a knowledge exchange platform in the organic sector, and for research supporting the further development of care farming. Also the topic on innovation for the revival of less frequently grown crops was recalled and linked to the upcoming EIP Focus Group on genetic resources. Find the full list of priority topics here.

Action Plan for Innovation & Learning:

In collaboration with ARC 2020, TP Organics will publish an Action Plan for Innovation and Learning. It will provide policy recommendations for achieving innovation, based on the experiences made in the organic sector with participatory research. Participants agreed that EU funding schemes should be adapted in order to take account of the specific requirements of participatory research.

Revised Strategic Research Agenda

TP Organics' first Strategic Research Agenda was published in 2009. In order to assure its relevance, it will be adapted to the new policy context and new challenges that have emerged, such as the need for European protein self-sufficiency, the wish to achieve zero fossil fuel input farming or consumers' demand for better animal welfare. Participants at the stakeholder forum addressed in particular the need to investigate into urban horticulture as a way to reduce food miles, promote sustainable diets and contribute to public health & well-being. Participants finally called for wider socio-economic research on the drivers and barriers to moving away from agro-industrial modes of production to food production based on agroecology, eco-functional intensification and fair economic relationships.

Not only the content of future research & innovation projects was discussed, also their practical implementation through Horizon 2020. In this regard, the plans of the Directorate-General Research & Innovation to pool Horizon 2020 resources in bigger projects were criticised. Participants warned that organic research should not be reduced to a nice, but unimportant 'cherry on the cake' in large-scale projects.

The full report of the Stakeholder Forum is available here.

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Latest from TP Organics

TP Organics promotes agroecological innovation in the EIP for Agriculture

Funded by Fondation de France, TP Organics, IFOAM EU and ARC 2020 started a project to promote agroecological innovation in the EIP for Agriculture. The project aims at enhancing collaboration among agroecological organisations at EU level as well as initiating cooperation with European regions. Finally, the project will help organic actors to better understand the complex implementation of the EIP, e.g. by the publication of a dossier later this year. First project activities included an introductory meeting with the EIP Service Point and with ERIAFF, a network of European regions with an interest in cross-border operational groups.

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New colleague in TP Organics : Introduction of Marie-Chiara Tort - European volunteer

Dear all, I come from Paris, France. I’ve started to work with TP Organics on the 6th of May. I deeply believe in organic agriculture and sustainable farming as an answer to many environmental, social and economical issues we are facing, I’m therefore happy to be part of TP Organics and to work for what I believe in. I’ve studied European and International law in France and Italy, and have a master’s degree in Sustainable Agricultural Development. My professional experience also includes international cooperation, at the French Cooperation in Jerusalem where I worked on development and humanitarian issues in the Palestinian Territories, and at the Inter-American Institute For Cooperation On Agriculture (IICA), Panama office, where I was project coordinator in the framework of the Central American Strategy for Territorial Rural Development. Among other activities, I will start to follow the International Cooperation policy of the EU.

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Update about Horizon 2020 - New programme now set to start in January 2014

Following intense negotiations, the Irish Presidency, the European Parliament and the European Commission

secured agreement on Horizon 2020.

Horizon 2020 will use a simplified funding model which means that a greater number of organisations can access

the programme, which in turn means greater diversity in research, greater opportunities for business and greater

benefits for the economy at large. The inclusion of specific measures for widening of participation will also further

enhance a diverse range of research and research bodies.

This provisional agreement now goes to the Committee of Permanent Representatives for endorsement. The

indicative budget of €70billion is subject to final agreement on the Multi-Financial Framework (MFF).

TP Organics will keep following the development.

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Update on EIP for Agriculture

High-Level Steering Board agreed on Strategic Implementation Plan

On 11 July, the High-Level Steering Board of the EIP agreed on the Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP). This political document gives strategic advice and orientation to the EIP for agriculture in terms of bottlenecks and solutions to the creation of an innovation culture in European agriculture. The SIP should be considered as a general recommendation that leaves room for new insights and bottom-up initiatives that will emerge during the

Latest from Brussels (and beyond)

implementation of the EIP.

Composition of Focus Groups decided:

The composition of the first three focus groups (optimising arable yields in organic farming, reduction of antibiotic use in pig production, and protein crops) has been decided. Each Focus Group gathers 20 experts (researchers, farmers, advisers...) to explore practical innovative solutions and prepare ideas for operational groups. The call for the next three focus groups (genetic resources, soil organic matter and integrated pest management) will be launched in September. Find the composition of the focus groups here. EIP Service Point fully operational

Since 11 July, EIP Service Point is fully operational. It will enhance communication and cooperation between all relevant innovation actors (farmers, advisers, agri-business, civil society, researchers & administrations). The Service Point will provide information on "innovation-related policy measures, relevant research activities & knowledge databases, including lessons learned from practice-oriented projects”. The Service Point is composed of 7 partners from 6 countries, with VLM - Vlaamse Landmaatschappij (Flemish Land Agency, BE), acting as the lead partner. The other partners are: DLG - Government Service for Land & Water Management (NL), ARC - Estonian Agricultural Research Centre (EE), Project Management Jülich (DE), AC3A - Association des Chambres d'Agriculture de l'Arc Atlantique (FR), USC - University of Santiago de Compostela (ES) and Jusbox.eu - Communications & Events (BE).

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The European Commission has launched a call for eco-innovations that aim at bringing environmental solutions to the market in the following areas:

1) material recycling,

2) water

3) sustainable building products

4) green business

5) the food and drink sector

The call is primarily targeted at private businesses, SMEs in particular, that have developed an innovative green product, process or service, but are experiencing difficulties in launching it on the market. It is crucial for the Commission that the idea will be replicated at the market and can add EU-value in several countries within Europe (though it’s not really necessary to have more than one partner).

Up to 45 eco-innovation projects will be funded. Co-financing rate is 50%. Research projects are not funded. An approximate project budget could be around 1,5 million EUR (sub-contracting can be done up to 35% of the total costs).

Find more information here.

It’s possible to send your project idea to the Commission's agency EACI (Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation) to find out whether or not your idea fits to the call.

The deadline for submission of proposals is 5 September.

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New call for COST Actions launched The COST secretariat invites researchers throughout Europe to submit proposals for research networks and use this unique opportunity to exchange knowledge and to embark on new European perspectives. Food and Agriculture is one of the nine domain topics of the call. Deadline for submission of proposals is 27 September. What does COST fund? The support will cover the costs of networking activities such as meetings (e.g. travel, subsistence, local organiser support), conferences, workshops, short-term scientific exchanges, training schools, publications and dissemination activities. COST does not fund the research itself. What does COST do? COST’s mission is to strengthen Europe in scientific and technical research through the support of European cooperation and interaction between European Researchers. It also aims to maximise European Synergy and added value in non-competitive and pre-normative research. Find more information here

Call for expressions of interest 2012-2015 (CEI/AMI) The European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment has published the new Call for Expressions of Interest (C.E.I. 2012-2015). Objective: The purpose of this call is to provide the Commission with a list of pre-selected candidates who could be awarded with contracts in connection with activities related to the policy areas of the Directorate-General for Environment. Deadline: The list will be used until the 15th of January 2015, but the deadline for receipt of applications is the 15th of October 2014. For all the information please click here For any questions please contact env-clima-ami@ec.europa.eu or tel.: (+32-2) 299 34 21

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4th International Conference on Organic Agriculture Sciences (ICOAS)

The 4th Scientific Conference on Organic Agriculture in Central and Eastern Europe will be held on 9-13th October 2013 in Hungary. Previously held in the Czech Republic, ICOAS provides an opportunity for researchers, non-governmental organisations, practitioners and policy makers around the globe to meet and discuss current results of organic agriculture sciences.

The theme for ICOAS 2013 is: Targeting Global Sustainability – Food Security, Biodiversity and Climate Change.

ICOAS 2013 is hosted by the Hungarian Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (ÖMKi), partner institute of FiBL Switzerland.

Registration for the conference is now open.

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Upcoming events

Multitrust: Multicriteria assessment and communication of effects of organic food systems - International Conference at Aarhus University, Denmark, 25th – 26th November The goal of the interdisciplinary MultiTrust project (http://multitrust.org/) has been to analyze and test how new methods of multicriteria assessment can help document and communicate balanced overall assessments of effects of organic food systems on society and nature. The multifaceted research conducted within the framework of the project has been carried out with a view to support integrated development, open and credible communication, and long term growth of the organic production. The project will finish with a conference on 25-26 November 2013 at Aarhus University (Denmark). This conference is dedicated to two issues: First of all to present the wide variety of findings stemming from the project; secondly to open up an informed dialogue with interested scholars from around the world with regards to the possibilities and the pitfalls, the promises and the problems of multicriteria assessment of organic food systems. Find more information at the conference website Abstracts Abstracts can be submitted until August 1st 2013. All abstracts will be peer-reviewed by the scientific committee, notification of acceptance (or rejection) will be sent out in early September of 2013. Your abstract should be emailed to: multitask2013@bcom.au.dk Participation and registration Please visit the conference website for payment and registration here

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Conference Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems in Europe: A Transformative Agenda - European Parliament / ULB, Brussels - 26th and 27th June Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems

On 26 and 27 June, more than 100 people attended the conference "Agroecology for Sustainable Food Systems in Europe: A Transformative Agenda". TP Organics collaborated to the organisation of the conference as scientific partner. Participants identified key elements in policies, research, and social processes required for the spread of agroecological models of production, towards a fundamental transformation of the agro-food system in Europe.

Whilst agroecology contests the dominant productivist agro-food regime, participants acknowledged that at the same time agroecology is becoming a new buzzword. The term ‘agroecology’ has been recently adopted by some actors who have promoted conventional agriculture. Therefore it is important to clarify the different potential strategies for upscaling agroecology. Participants identified four areas of action: (1) sustainable resource use, (3) a shift to re-localised food systems, (2) rethinking economics, trade and markets, and (4) improved knowledge exchange.

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Second CORE Organic II research seminar – Amsterdam – 15 May 2013

On 15th of May, the 2nd CORE Organic II research seminar took place in Amsterdam. In the key-note speech, Krijn Poppe, co-chair of the collaborative working group on Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) of the Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR) presented the network

Review of events

approach to innovation, in which innovation is ‘co-produced’ through interactions between all stakeholders. He recommended CORE Organic projects should pay more attention to involving stakeholders and practical implementation of project outcomes. Afterwards, Thomas Alföldi, communication adviser at FiBL Switzerland, made recommendations for successful dissemination plans. He said key messages have to be customized to the target group and should be communicated through a well planned mix of tools and channels. Important is that dissemination plans be developed along with the research plan. Thomas Alföldi recommended the CORE Organic partners to request more elaborated dissemination plans from the project consortia. The rest of the day, the coordinators of the 14 CORE Organic II-projects got the opportunity to present their project and to share ideas with the other participants and the funding bodies.

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1st meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Expert Group (EMEG), Lisbon, June 20-21, 2013 The Euro-Mediterranean Expert Group (EMEG) is the “think thank” of the FP7 project MEDSPRING (Mediterranean Science, Policy, Research and Innovation Gateway). Its aim is to provide recommendations to researchers, policy makers and stakeholders from the Mediterranean Partner Countries, EU Member States and Associated Countries regarding the Euro-Med research agenda and Horizon 2020 in particular. The first meeting of EMEG was held in Lisbon, on June 20th and 21st. The EMEG group is sub-divided in three main thematic areas: water, food and energy. Eduardo Cuoco represents TP Organics is in the food group. Regarding the food area the following topics were identified for the uptake of research results and development of market opportunities: - Promoting sustainability in agriculture taking into account traditional agriculture, innovative technologies and organic farming for the empowerment of rural communities. - Policies and governance to integrate technologies with traditional food production systems, promoting food safety and security. - Innovation in local Mediterranean food chains. - Innovative precision agricultural technologies in all food value-chain and efficient resources management. - Food-chain logistics reducing food loss. - Quality certification via participatory approach / group certification. - Pre- and post-harvest early detection of pest/pathogens and control. - EU-MED pedo-climatic conditions for sustainable and affordable food quality production. - Rich protein plant - microorganism’s interactions for nutritional value farming and organic agriculture promotion. - Local biodiversity to adapt to climate change and enhance competitive local traditional food and on-site awareness / training courses and schools. - Long food shelf life techniques. - Bio-districts to boost rural economy for creating new jobs. More information (incl. recommendation paper) can be found here.

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Launch of the Montpellier Panel Report 2013 - Sustainable Intensification: A new paradigm for African Agriculture, Brussels, 28th May

On Tuesday 28th May, the Montpellier Panel - a panel of international experts from the fields of agriculture, sustainable development, trade, policy, and global development aiming at better European government support for national and regional agricultural development and food security in Sub-Saharan Africa - launched their new report 'Sustainable Intensification: A New Paradigm for African Agriculture' at the European Commission, jointly hosted by the Commission and CTA. We report the main points presented by the speakers:

The report promotes “Sustainable Intensification” as a starting point for solutions to global challenges linked to agriculture, like food insecurity, malnutrition, climate change, rural poverty, environmental protection, in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Panel defines sustainable intensification as “producing more outputs with more efficient use of all inputs on a durable basis, while reducing environmental damage and building resilience, natural capital and the flow of environmental services”. Sustainable Intensification integrates three elements: first of all Socio-economic environment Intensification, and within this, Ecological Intensification and Genetic Intensification. The positive points enlightened in the discussion were:

Recognition of agriculture as a key area, at the heart of the International and European agenda

Growing consensus between Government and Donors - The biggest issues (i.e. land management, demographic growth, political commitment, Nutrition) are now discussed.

Crisis management by the States themselves – The most vulnerable areas, the Sahel and the African horn, have managed the economical and climate shocks (2011/2012) by themselves.

The main issues enlightened in the discussion were:

How to scale up the success stories? Central answer: strengthening Socio-economic environment - Scientific research is not sufficient, a supportive political framework with a long term prospective is necessary.

Key role of interdisciplinary and cross-border research

Coordination between the various donors - they need to coordinate and work together.

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International Conference: European Agricultural Research towards greater impact on Global Challenges, Brussels, Belgium, on 5th June 2013

The conference built on the belief that there is a need to strengthen coordination to achieve greater impact in Agriculture Research for Development (ARD). The conference was attended by over 100 people including policy makers, donors, programme managers, scientists and other stakeholders. The conference focused on how Europe should support research collaboration in sustainable intensification of food production, taking into account the whole value chain. Research and Innovation partnerships between Europe and other regions of the world should be develop, learning from a diversity of approaches. Also the need to align ARD with demand, particularly from smallholder farmers was discussed. Finally the conference discussed how funding instruments should be flexible and catalyze existing initiatives, rather than generating new initiatives. Improved coordination between countries leads to more synergy and a more efficient use of research funds. You can find all the presentations and conclusions of the Conference here.

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CO-free project seeks alternatives for copper

The replacement of copper is a key priority in organic farming. The new EU-funded project “Innovative strategies for copper-free low-input and organic farming systems” (CO-FREE) aims to develop innovative methods, tools and concepts for the replacement of copper in European organic and low-input fruit, grapevine, potato, and tomato production systems.

News from our members

To disseminate information about the project and its partners, CO-FREE issues a newsletter which features:

'Who is who' of the participating partner institutions,

Overview of latest results

Top-theme addressing a significant aspect of the project in-depth,

'CO-FREE in the public' reporting on presentations of CO-FREE in meetings and other events.

The first issue of the CO-FREE Newsletter is now available for download at: www.co-free.eu/downloads/general/CO-FREE-Newsletter-1-May-13.pdf For your convenience you are welcome to subscribe to the Newsletter (http://www.co-free.eu/newsletter.html) to receive first hand information on forthcoming issues.

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http://www.au.dk/en

http://www.bioforsk.no/ikbViewer/page/home

http://www.boku.ac.at/home.html?&L=1

http://www.caae.es

http://www.cnr.it/sitocnr/home.html

http://www.emu.ee

http://www.firab.it

http://www.organicfqhresearch.org

http://www.hnee.de/HNE-Eberswalde-E1016.htm

www.ifoam-eu.org

The Platform is financially supported by:

http://www.louisbolk.org

https://portal.mtt.fi/portal/page/portal/mtt_en

ROGAU Stiftung

http://rogau-stiftung.org/

http://www.slu.se/en/

www.software-ag-stiftung.de

http://www.fibl.org

http://www.dtu.dk

www.bioinstitut.cz

http://www.univpm.it/Entra/

http://www.rhea-environment.org/en

http://www.iamb.it/iamb2005/programmi/home.php?id=51&idarea=6

http://www.uni-kassel.de/

http://www.ekhagastiftelsen.se/eng/

http://www.fondationdefrance.org/

http://www.bionext.nl/

http://www.nobl.be/

The TP Organics supporters are not responsible for any use that may be made of the information provided.

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Become a supporter!

TP Organics is a dynamic network of European of civil society organisations, researchers, farmers and companies. We have been officially acknowledge as the European Technology Research Platform by the European Commission.

We have observer status in the ERA-Net Core Organic II and are member of the advisory board of several other trans-national research networks such as the ERA-Net SUSFOOD and the JPI for Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change.

Our Strategic Research Agenda forms the basis of our work and we work hard to have a number of its topics included in the Work Programmes of Horizon 2020 and other European research & innovation calls. We hope that you also will benefit from these calls.

Members and sympathizing scientists have invested time and money to build up the platform. We are now looking for organisations that want to support the work of TP Organics financially.

You can become supporter of TP Organics starting at €500.

If you are interested, contact the Secretariat who will provide you our working programme for 2012-2014.

Thanks for your contribution to the success of TP Organics!

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TP Organics – Technology Platform for Organic Food and Farming - www.tporganics.eu