PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
All EU Member States have registered a massive decline of insects. In Germany, a study of 63 protected areas found the biomass loss of insects to be 76% on average. Most of these protected areas are surrounded by intensive agriculture, which is very typical in Germany. Studies on insects and the threats to them have alerted farmers and food companies in Europe (even in the low-priced discount sector) to the problem, with more companies launching pollinator initiatives and more farmers willing to participate. Sustainable agricultural practices are available and their positive impacts are well studied. These practices reduce pesticide use, bring more nature into fields and enhance soil quality, thereby improving productivity, carbon sequestration and water quality while protecting pollinators and other insects. However, there is still a substantial deficit in know-how among farmers and food companies and in implementation of measures, especially with respect to insect protection.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE Responsible Sourcing project aims to create insect-responsible sourcing regions (IRSRs) in cooperation with the agricultural and food sectors, local authorities and NGOs. Tailor-made biodiversity action plans will be implemented to improve protection of insects and biodiversity at the landscape level. The goal is for biodiversity to show continuous improvement and insect-friendly products to be successfully marketed. The concept will be transferable to all EU regions.
Specifically, the project intends to:
Develop a framework for insect-responsible sourcing regions; Implement seven such regions; Provide incentives for IRSRs; Support frontrunner insect-responsible sourcing regions; Strengthen the competence of farmers, advisors and food companies in relation to insects; Create incentives and stimulate market demand for insect-friendly products, as well as sensitising consumers; and Provide capacity building for farmers in sourcing regions and beyond.
RESULTS
Expected results: IRSR concept and implementation
Region-specific biodiversity action plans (BAPs) implemented by seven IRSRs. Approximately 3 500 farmers and more than 14 food companies involved in total; Participation of stakeholder groups in IRSR coordination groups (minimum of 70 organisations involved). Intensive exchange between the agriculture sector and those responsible for implementing the regional BAPs and insect-responsible management; BAPs carried out at farm level by 10 frontrunner farms per IRSR: average of 3 500 ha responsibly managed for insects; 700 ha of insect-responsible habitats improved/created; habitat quality increased by 30%; 50% more insects in the improved habitats; Implementation of BAPs started on 17 500 ha by 350 farms; Documentation of measures (resources needed, barriers and additional positive impacts) feeding into the blueprint for an IRSR agri-environmental programme as well as agreements of cost coverage between farmers and food companies; and Three monitoring reports on biodiversity performance in seven IRSRs; Capacity building
Training to improve the competence of farmers and other actors in the food sector in insect-friendly agriculture/biodiversity; Around 180 farmers and assessors trained per IRSR (1 300 in total); Training material disseminated to farmers by 200 organisations, and training modules used by 20 companies for their managers; and Use of an existing citizen science toolin seven IRSRs, involving a minimum of 350 citizens in monitoring of insects; Creation of demand and incentives
Blueprint for agri-environmental programmes for creation of IRSRs, including the private sector. Steps taken to initiate a programme; Elaboration of marketing concept for bee- and insect-friendly products in cooperation with food companies. Concept implemented by at least 30 food producers and retailers; and Development of a blueprint communication concept for final consumers. Five food companies to adopt the blueprint and implement communication activities. Around 5 million consumers reached; and Transfer of results and replication of actions
Provision of information and proposals to improve insect protection on a regional level in agricultural production and beyond to representatives of the European Commission, Parliament and Committee of the Regions; About 300 organisations from the agricultural and food sectors informed about the results and lessons learned. Food companies, suppliers and farmers associations to ask for support for the creation of at least 10 new IRSRs in Europe by the end of the project; and 10 more regions in the EU to be interested in becoming an IRSR due to the projects dissemination work, tools and presentations at a minimum of 50 events. About 3 000 decision-makers/multipliers informed and sensitised. More than 60% of these motivated to promote insect-responsible agriculture and sourcing regions.
