Find out more about how this website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience.
The role of policy in the transition of legume production and consumption in Europe
This webinar will introduce joint lessons from the TRUE-LEGVALUE policy-relevant studies and initiate a rethinking of how "policy understanding" can help to transform our food system to be more legume-based.
The potential impact and contribution of policy instruments in scenario-based transition pathways towards greater legume production and consumption will be discussed.
Participants are expected from the complete legume innovation helix promoting the industry, science, policy, civil society interactions.
To be recorded an posted here soon after the event.
Provisional programme: Starts 10am CET ends 12pm
|
Time |
|
Topic |
Who |
|
Start |
|
|
|
|
10:30 |
|
Welcome message + technical details |
Dr Eszter Kelemen (moderator) - Researcher at Environmental Social Science Research Group (ESSRG) |
|
10:35 |
|
Introduction to the webinar |
Chris de Visser -Buisness development Unit Manager - Waageningen University Research |
|
10:40 |
|
Presentation scenario’s and transition pathways |
Chris de Visser |
|
10:50 |
|
The legume paradox and potential policy changes to foster the transition |
Dr Bálint Balázs -Senior researcher and Executive Manager of the Environmental Social Science Research Group (ESSRG) |
|
11:00 |
|
Policy instruments in the transition to more legume-inclusive agriculture |
Prof Davide Viaggi - Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences. University of Bologna |
|
11:10 |
|
Reflection on the presentations by 3 guests - Max Schulman (Copa Cogeca), confirmed - Emese Brosz (ProTerra) – to be confirmed - German Legume Demonstration Network - guest to be confirmed |
Eszter Kelemen |
|
11:25 |
|
Mentimeter questions |
Eszter Kelemen |
|
11:30 |
|
Round table Q&A |
Eszter Kelemen |
|
11:55 |
|
Wrap-up |
Dr Liz Lewis-Reddy - Specialists on policy and economic analysis - RSK ADAS Limited |
|
12:00 |
|
End of the workshop |
Eszter Kelemen |
COMMENTS
During the webinar a number of questions were raised and answered directly in the discussion. Here is a selection. Feel free to raise additional questions, add comments or opinions.
Q: to Balint : Interesting to see a focus on health and nutrition as well. You already say habits around food are difficult to change. Do you have examples of policies that you think would positively influence nutrition and health?
Q:to Max: THe EU is now going towards zero-pollution, so the question is how can this work in legume arable without any synthetic N fertilser and pesticides?
Q:to Max: Does Europe need its own digital information network?
Q:to Eva: under EU regulation the same farm can have organic and conventional production - wouldn't those "bi-lingual" farms also be interesting to have in the German network? Legumes are a challange for both systems and this could increase co-learning.
Q:to Eva: Do you stimulate contracts of farmers with the supply chain?
Comment :The ECs "Protein Crop Strategy" appears (often) to classify legume crops alongside other non-legume protein crops. The ecological service (potential) of legumes is greater than that of non-legumes. So, even within the EU policy framework/legislation/funding calls etc is the pivotal role of legumes being undermined? Does the pivotal role of legumes need to be more clearly acknowledged as different and better in EU frameworks? ( comment from within the TRUE consortium)
Q: The ECs "Protein Crop Strategy" appears (often) to classify legume crops alongside other non-legume protein crops. The ecological service (potential) of legumes is greater than that of non-legumes. So, even within the EU policy framework/legislation/funding calls etc is the pivotal role of legumes being undermined? Does the pivotal role of legumes need to be more clearly acknowledged as different and better in EU frameworks?
Q: Is there an over-focus on grain legumes? The ecosystem service potential of forage legumes is also very high (if accommodated). Also, seed quality among the legume-based cover crop is highly variable: does the cover crop industry need more regulatory attention to better assure that seed is quality assured? Also, if possible grown closer to location of use (more chance of local adaption)?
Comment: Legume breeding programmes where (historically) funded at a national level and delivered across different locations. Should this be rekindled to ensure that farmers get access to the best types for their location? Or, is cooperative breeding the answer here? Not answered (comment from within the TRUE consortium)
Q: Legume breeding programmes where (historically) funded at a national level and delivered across different locations. Should this be rekindled to ensure that farmers get access to the best types for their location? Or, is cooperative breeding the answer here?
Q: to all: Do you think for a real transition policy measures like higher taxes on synthetic N-fertiliser or on meat products are needed to to increase the competitiveness of legumes and legume based products?
Comment: Is there a need to re-invigorate lost local food-cultures and -dishes which used to use grain legumes? Work in other EU projects has highlighted that provenance, was it locally grown and is healthy, is more important than nature or environmental benefits. How can we best reinvigorate lost legume-based food-culture? ( comment form within the TRUE consortium)