Rethinking sustainability
Sustainability is often reduced to a simple reduction in environmental impacts, as can be seen in mining, which is intended to be ‘sustainable’. However, a more ambitious approach involves processes that not only preserve resources for future generations, but also actively improve the environment. A good example of this is organic farming, which avoids the use of pesticides and, at the same time, enriches the soil with organic fertilizers, promoting richer biodiversity.
Regulations and objectives in Europe
In Europe, organic farming is subject to a rigorous regulation system that ensures that agricultural practices comply with the established standards. With the ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy, the European Union seeks that 25% of the agricultural area be dedicated to organic farming by 2030.In this context, the question arises: Why has Catalonia proposed a new certification called Sustainable Agricultural Production (PAS) in the European Commission?
A new stamp for sustainability
The General Director of Agriculture and Livestock of Catalonia, Elisenda Guillaumes, describes the passage as a voluntary certification system that will allow agricultural farms to evaluate and visualize their sustainability level. This initiative, according to Guillaumes, offers a free tool for those who want to measure their sustainability. However, she also acknowledges that this new seal can cause confusion with other certifications, such as the ecological.
Agroecological Sector Critics
The agroecological sector expresses concerns about the new certification. Marc Talavera, a member of Eixarcolant, emphasizes that the criteria for passing are too permissive, allowing virtually any production to be considered ‘sustainable’. This generates restlessness between producers and consumers, who can confuse this new brand with the ecological.
Confusion and distrust
Associations such as Apacat and the Hortec Cooperative share these concerns, saying that passing not only dilutes the essence of organic farming, but also can deceive the consumer with promises of sustainability that are not fulfilled.
The labyrinth of stamps
In addition to the ecological, consumers are with various stamps representing different productive models, such as the ladybug seal for integrated agriculture, which reduces the use of pesticides without completely eliminating it. There is also the proximity seal, which certifies the direct sale between producers and consumers. This diversity of stamps may reflect the lack of clear and consistent policies in the sector.
The need for strategic changes
Experts such as Marta Guadalupe Rivera Ferre of the CSIC argument that the coexistence of so many stamps can perpetuate an agri -food system that benefits large producers at the expense of real sustainability. Alejandro Guzmán, of EcoCentral, adds that this indefinition allows supermarket chains to be responsible for no commitment to sustainability.
Alternatives and new initiatives
The proliferation of quality stamps often seeks to gain consumer confidence in an increasingly complex system. However, this can be a surface solution that does not address the structural problems of the agro -exploring model. Small neighborhood shops and municipal markets, which promote personal relationships between producers and consumers, can offer a more effective alternative.
Innovative marketing models
Initiatives such as consumer cooperatives and cooperative supermarkets have emerged as viable alternatives, promoting a fairer and more transparent model. Laura Planell, from the Social Economy, emphasizes that most of the purchases are still out of these circuits, and for this reason the Triplus project has been created, a self -managed mechanism to ensure sustainability in food purchases.
A sustainable and transparent future
Triplus not only offers a hallmark, but also a free application that allows consumers to know the environmental, social and economic impact of the products they buy. Alejandro García d’Eixarcolant notes that this initiative seeks to promote transparency and traceability, encouraging both producers and consumers to make informed decisions.