European civil society launches ‘European food declaration’
Data: 16/03/2010
42 organizations and groups from Romania join the initiative
Towards a healthy, sustainable, fair and mutually supportive Common Agriculture and Food policy:
Brussels, March 16 – On the eve of a European Parliament hearing which will debate the future of Europe’s agriculture policy a broad alliance of European, national and local civil society organisations concerned with the future of food and agriculture in Europe, are today launching a ‘European food declaration’ to mobilise European citizens and authorities to reshape the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP). [1]
The future of the CAP after 2013 will be debated tomorrow at a hearing of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee. Nearly 200 organisations from 24 member states have so far signed the declaration that sends a strong message, not only to EU policy makers, but also to national policy makers. The declaration calls for a complete overhaul of the current system and outlines the policy objectives of a new Common Agriculture and Food Policy for the future.
Over the last 48 years, the CAP has led to an industrialised food system that is heavily dependent on fossil fuels and the unsustainable use of natural resources, and that contributes massively to climate emissions and global loss of biodiversity. The CAP has also lead to unhealthy diets in Europe and continues to damage developing country food systems. The new CAP must respond to these challenges Europe is facing by supporting the development of fair, inclusive, transparent and sustainable food systems.
“The European Union must recognize and support the crucial role of sustainable family farming in the food supply of the population. All people should have access to healthy, safe, and nutritious food. The ways in which we grow, distribute, prepare and eat food should celebrate Europe’s cultural diversity, providing sustenance equitably and sustainably” the declaration reads.
Sustainable family farming creates jobs and contributes to more inclusive rural communities. For decades transnational corporations and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) have dominated decision making in food and agriculture policy. The declaration calls for people in Europe to re-appropriate agriculture and food policy. It demands that a new Common Agriculture and Food Policy must guarantee and protect citizens’ ability and right to define their own models of food production, distribution and consumption. It should also manage precious resources more effectively and ensure biodiversity is protected.
This declaration is the first step in efforts to build a broad movement for change towards food sovereignty in Europe, including EU policies and practices.
The coalition says: “We encourage organizations, groups and individuals concerned with the future of farming and food to sign this declaration online on www.europeanfooddeclaration.org and to use it as a tool to initiate discussions about what kind of food and agriculture policy we need.”
[1] See www.europeanfooddeclaration.org/who-are-we for the list of 187 initial signatories from European countries. Also, the declaration is available online at: www.ecoruralis.ro
For more informations, please contact us:
Luiza Boldizsar – president
Eco Ruralis - in support of organic and traditional peasants (peasant – Hosman village, Romania)
Mobile: +4 (0) 741 - 914 479
(communication in Romanian)
Willy Schuster – vice-president
Eco Ruralis - in support of organic and traditional peasants (peasant – Mosna village, Romania)
Mobile: +4 (0) 752 - 108 184
(communication in Romanian / English beginner)
Office Eco Ruralis - in support of organic and traditional peasants from Romania
David Francisc St., no. 10/5, 400102 – Cluj Napoca, Romania
Phone/Fax: +4 (0) 264 - 599 204
E-mail: ecoruralis@gmail.com / Website: www.ecoruralis.ro
List of signatories in Romania (last up-dated on the 15th of March, 2010)
(Romanian / English)
1. Eco Ruralis - in sprijinul taranilor ecologici si traditionali / Eco Ruralis - in support of Organic and Traditional Farmers www.ecoruralis.ro
2. Centrul Independent pentru Dezvoltarea Resurselor de Mediu CIDRM / Independent Centre for the Development of Environmental Resources
www.centruldemediu.ro
3. Centrul de Informare asupra Organismelor Modificate Genetic InfOMG / GMO Information Centre www.infomg.ro
4. Rencontres du Patrimoine Europe-Roumanie - RPER www.patrimoniu-rper.com
5. Slow Food Turda / Slow Food Turda http://slowfoodturda.blogspot.com/
6. Asociatia ARIN / ARIN Asociation
7. Asociatia AGORA - Grup de Lucru pentru Dezvoltare Durabila / AGORA Association - Working group for Sustainable Development www.green-agora.ro
8. Fundatia Eco Civica / Eco Civica Foundation - www.eco-civica.ro
9. Asociatia Mai Bine / The Association for the Better - www.maibine.eu
10. Asociatia Fermierul Cozia / The Association Farmer Cozia
11. Asociatia Gib Bio Grup / The Association Gib Bio Group
12. Fundatia Speranta Sfantul stefan / The Foundation Hope Saint Stefan
13. Asociatia Valea Soarelui / The Association Sun Valley
14. Asociatia Fair Trade Efectul Fluture / The Fair Trade Association Butterly Effect
15. Asociatia Sighisoara Durabila / The Association Sustainable Sighisoara
16. BIO COOP - Cooperativa de gospodari bio / BIO COOP - organic farmers cooperative www.biocoop.ro
17. Asociatia Eco Assist / The Eco Assist Association www.ecoassist.org
18. Microregiunea Poganyhavas / Poganyhavas Microregion www.poganyhavas.hu
19. Asociatia Hosman Durabil / The Association Sustainable Hosman www.hosman-durabil.org
20. Cooperativa Escar Prod / Escar Prod Cooperative www.escarprod.ro
21. Clubul Ecologic Transilvania / Transylvania Eco-Club www.cetcluj.ro
22. WWOOF Romania / WWOOF Romania www.wwoof.ro
23. Asociatia Prietenii Pamantului Galati / The Association Earth's Friends Galati
24. Asociatia Zdreanta / The association Zdreanta
25. Asociatia Focus Eco Center / The Association Focus Eco Center www.focuseco.ro
26. Asociatia Re.Generation / Re.Generation Association
27. Centrul de Resurse pentru Initiative Etice si Solidare CRIES / The Resource Center for Ethical and Solidar Innitiatives www.cries.ro
28. Asociatia pentru Sustinerea Agriculturii taranesti ASAT / Supporting
Peasant Agriculture Association http://asat.ecosapiens.ro/
29. Asociatia pentru Mediu si Turism Ulmul Cerasului / Ceras's Elm Environment and Tourism Association www.ulmulcerasului.ro
30.Asociatia TERRA Mileniul III / Terra Millenium III Association www.terraiii.ngo.ro
31. Slow Food Cluj Transilvania / Slow Food Cluj Transylvania www.slowfoodcluj.com
32. Asociatia Turda Fest / Turda Fest Association www.turdafest.ro
33. Asociatia Ecologica Turismverde / Ecologic Green Tourism Association www.turismverde.ro
34. Asociatia Bio Romania / Bio Romania Association www.bio-romania.org
35. Asociatia ALMA-RO / ALMA-RO Association http://alma-ro.ngo.ro
36. Reteaua de Actiune pentru Clima Romania / Climate Action Network Romania www.rac-ro.ngo.ro
37. Fundatia KESARION - pentru o viata romaneasca traditionala / Kesarion Foundation - for a Traditional Romanian Life
38. Asociatia Alburnus Maior - Rosia Montana / Alburnus Maior Association - Rosia Montana www.rosiamontana.org
38. Asociatia Agent Green / Agent Green Association www.agentgreen.ro
39. Asociatia de Ecoturism din Romania / Association of Ecotourism in Romania www.eco-romania.ro
40. Actiunea Civica Directa / DirectCivic Action
41. Asociatia Romana a Iubitorilor Naturii / Romanian Association of Nature's Friends www.arin.ro
42. Slow Food Brusturoasa-Palanca / Slow Food Brusturoasa-Palanca
Initiators of the declaration:
Contacts:
European Coordination Via Campesina – Gérard Choplin, + 32 473257378, gerard.choplin@eurovia.org
European Attac network – Aurélie Trouvé, +33 61 71 75 087, aurelietrouve@yahoo.fr
Friends of the Earth Europe - Kirtana Chandrasekaran, +44 7961986956, kirtana.chandrasekaran@foe.co.uk
European Public Health and Agriculture Consortium - Robert Pederson, +32 4 846 90893, robert.pederson@healthyagriculture.eu
Food and Water Watch Europe - Gabriella Zanzanaini, +32 488409662, gzanzanaini@fweurope.org
IFOAM EU Group – Antje Koelling, +32 2 2806850, antje.koelling@ifoam-eu.org
Vredeseilanden – Gert Engelen, +32 497381377, Gert.Engelen@vredeseilanden.be
AEFJN (Africa Europe Faith & Justice Network) – Christine Fouarge, +32 2 234 68 24, cfouarge@aefjn.org
Eurogroup for Animals - Martyn Griffiths, +32 487645486, m.griffiths@eurogroupforanimals.org
Greenpeace European Unit - Marco Contiero, +32 477 77 70 34, marco.contiero@greenpeace.org
Seattle to Brussels (S2B) - Alexandra Strickner, + 41 7976 48658, alexandra.strickner@attac.at
42 organizations and groups from Romania join the initiative
Towards a healthy, sustainable, fair and mutually supportive Common Agriculture and Food policy:
Brussels, March 16 – On the eve of a European Parliament hearing which will debate the future of Europe’s agriculture policy a broad alliance of European, national and local civil society organisations concerned with the future of food and agriculture in Europe, are today launching a ‘European food declaration’ to mobilise European citizens and authorities to reshape the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP). [1]
The future of the CAP after 2013 will be debated tomorrow at a hearing of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee. Nearly 200 organisations from 24 member states have so far signed the declaration that sends a strong message, not only to EU policy makers, but also to national policy makers. The declaration calls for a complete overhaul of the current system and outlines the policy objectives of a new Common Agriculture and Food Policy for the future.
Over the last 48 years, the CAP has led to an industrialised food system that is heavily dependent on fossil fuels and the unsustainable use of natural resources, and that contributes massively to climate emissions and global loss of biodiversity. The CAP has also lead to unhealthy diets in Europe and continues to damage developing country food systems. The new CAP must respond to these challenges Europe is facing by supporting the development of fair, inclusive, transparent and sustainable food systems.
“The European Union must recognize and support the crucial role of sustainable family farming in the food supply of the population. All people should have access to healthy, safe, and nutritious food. The ways in which we grow, distribute, prepare and eat food should celebrate Europe’s cultural diversity, providing sustenance equitably and sustainably” the declaration reads.
Sustainable family farming creates jobs and contributes to more inclusive rural communities. For decades transnational corporations and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) have dominated decision making in food and agriculture policy. The declaration calls for people in Europe to re-appropriate agriculture and food policy. It demands that a new Common Agriculture and Food Policy must guarantee and protect citizens’ ability and right to define their own models of food production, distribution and consumption. It should also manage precious resources more effectively and ensure biodiversity is protected.
This declaration is the first step in efforts to build a broad movement for change towards food sovereignty in Europe, including EU policies and practices.
The coalition says: “We encourage organizations, groups and individuals concerned with the future of farming and food to sign this declaration online on www.europeanfooddeclaration.org and to use it as a tool to initiate discussions about what kind of food and agriculture policy we need.”
[1] See www.europeanfooddeclaration.org/who-are-we for the list of 187 initial signatories from European countries. Also, the declaration is available online at: www.ecoruralis.ro
For more informations, please contact us:
Luiza Boldizsar – president
Eco Ruralis - in support of organic and traditional peasants (peasant – Hosman village, Romania)
Mobile: +4 (0) 741 - 914 479
(communication in Romanian)
Willy Schuster – vice-president
Eco Ruralis - in support of organic and traditional peasants (peasant – Mosna village, Romania)
Mobile: +4 (0) 752 - 108 184
(communication in Romanian / English beginner)
Office Eco Ruralis - in support of organic and traditional peasants from Romania
David Francisc St., no. 10/5, 400102 – Cluj Napoca, Romania
Phone/Fax: +4 (0) 264 - 599 204
E-mail: ecoruralis@gmail.com / Website: www.ecoruralis.ro
List of signatories in Romania (last up-dated on the 15th of March, 2010)
(Romanian / English)
1. Eco Ruralis - in sprijinul taranilor ecologici si traditionali / Eco Ruralis - in support of Organic and Traditional Farmers www.ecoruralis.ro
2. Centrul Independent pentru Dezvoltarea Resurselor de Mediu CIDRM / Independent Centre for the Development of Environmental Resources
www.centruldemediu.ro
3. Centrul de Informare asupra Organismelor Modificate Genetic InfOMG / GMO Information Centre www.infomg.ro
4. Rencontres du Patrimoine Europe-Roumanie - RPER www.patrimoniu-rper.com
5. Slow Food Turda / Slow Food Turda http://slowfoodturda.blogspot.com/
6. Asociatia ARIN / ARIN Asociation
7. Asociatia AGORA - Grup de Lucru pentru Dezvoltare Durabila / AGORA Association - Working group for Sustainable Development www.green-agora.ro
8. Fundatia Eco Civica / Eco Civica Foundation - www.eco-civica.ro
9. Asociatia Mai Bine / The Association for the Better - www.maibine.eu
10. Asociatia Fermierul Cozia / The Association Farmer Cozia
11. Asociatia Gib Bio Grup / The Association Gib Bio Group
12. Fundatia Speranta Sfantul stefan / The Foundation Hope Saint Stefan
13. Asociatia Valea Soarelui / The Association Sun Valley
14. Asociatia Fair Trade Efectul Fluture / The Fair Trade Association Butterly Effect
15. Asociatia Sighisoara Durabila / The Association Sustainable Sighisoara
16. BIO COOP - Cooperativa de gospodari bio / BIO COOP - organic farmers cooperative www.biocoop.ro
17. Asociatia Eco Assist / The Eco Assist Association www.ecoassist.org
18. Microregiunea Poganyhavas / Poganyhavas Microregion www.poganyhavas.hu
19. Asociatia Hosman Durabil / The Association Sustainable Hosman www.hosman-durabil.org
20. Cooperativa Escar Prod / Escar Prod Cooperative www.escarprod.ro
21. Clubul Ecologic Transilvania / Transylvania Eco-Club www.cetcluj.ro
22. WWOOF Romania / WWOOF Romania www.wwoof.ro
23. Asociatia Prietenii Pamantului Galati / The Association Earth's Friends Galati
24. Asociatia Zdreanta / The association Zdreanta
25. Asociatia Focus Eco Center / The Association Focus Eco Center www.focuseco.ro
26. Asociatia Re.Generation / Re.Generation Association
27. Centrul de Resurse pentru Initiative Etice si Solidare CRIES / The Resource Center for Ethical and Solidar Innitiatives www.cries.ro
28. Asociatia pentru Sustinerea Agriculturii taranesti ASAT / Supporting
Peasant Agriculture Association http://asat.ecosapiens.ro/
29. Asociatia pentru Mediu si Turism Ulmul Cerasului / Ceras's Elm Environment and Tourism Association www.ulmulcerasului.ro
30.Asociatia TERRA Mileniul III / Terra Millenium III Association www.terraiii.ngo.ro
31. Slow Food Cluj Transilvania / Slow Food Cluj Transylvania www.slowfoodcluj.com
32. Asociatia Turda Fest / Turda Fest Association www.turdafest.ro
33. Asociatia Ecologica Turismverde / Ecologic Green Tourism Association www.turismverde.ro
34. Asociatia Bio Romania / Bio Romania Association www.bio-romania.org
35. Asociatia ALMA-RO / ALMA-RO Association http://alma-ro.ngo.ro
36. Reteaua de Actiune pentru Clima Romania / Climate Action Network Romania www.rac-ro.ngo.ro
37. Fundatia KESARION - pentru o viata romaneasca traditionala / Kesarion Foundation - for a Traditional Romanian Life
38. Asociatia Alburnus Maior - Rosia Montana / Alburnus Maior Association - Rosia Montana www.rosiamontana.org
38. Asociatia Agent Green / Agent Green Association www.agentgreen.ro
39. Asociatia de Ecoturism din Romania / Association of Ecotourism in Romania www.eco-romania.ro
40. Actiunea Civica Directa / DirectCivic Action
41. Asociatia Romana a Iubitorilor Naturii / Romanian Association of Nature's Friends www.arin.ro
42. Slow Food Brusturoasa-Palanca / Slow Food Brusturoasa-Palanca
Initiators of the declaration:
Contacts:
European Coordination Via Campesina – Gérard Choplin, + 32 473257378, gerard.choplin@eurovia.org
European Attac network – Aurélie Trouvé, +33 61 71 75 087, aurelietrouve@yahoo.fr
Friends of the Earth Europe - Kirtana Chandrasekaran, +44 7961986956, kirtana.chandrasekaran@foe.co.uk
European Public Health and Agriculture Consortium - Robert Pederson, +32 4 846 90893, robert.pederson@healthyagriculture.eu
Food and Water Watch Europe - Gabriella Zanzanaini, +32 488409662, gzanzanaini@fweurope.org
IFOAM EU Group – Antje Koelling, +32 2 2806850, antje.koelling@ifoam-eu.org
Vredeseilanden – Gert Engelen, +32 497381377, Gert.Engelen@vredeseilanden.be
AEFJN (Africa Europe Faith & Justice Network) – Christine Fouarge, +32 2 234 68 24, cfouarge@aefjn.org
Eurogroup for Animals - Martyn Griffiths, +32 487645486, m.griffiths@eurogroupforanimals.org
Greenpeace European Unit - Marco Contiero, +32 477 77 70 34, marco.contiero@greenpeace.org
Seattle to Brussels (S2B) - Alexandra Strickner, + 41 7976 48658, alexandra.strickner@attac.at
