/pdf/safe-a-hierarchical-framework-for-assessing-the-4ct8ldr096.pdf

SAFE--A hierarchical framework for assessing the sustainability of agricultural systems

Assessing farming eco-efficiency: A Data Envelopment Analysis approach

Empirical evaluation of agricultural sustainability using composite indicators.

Organic farming is widely perceived as being more environmentally friendly than conventional farming. As a form of sustainable agriculture, it receives substantial support from policy for its contribution to environmental protection as well as the provision of amenities such as biodiversity and cultural landscapes. Consumers are attracted to organic foods as they are produced without synthetic chemicals and comply with higher animal welfare standards. Although organic farming certainly has the potential to fulfil these expectations, studies have shown that some certified organic farms do not. Their practices comply with the regulations, but not with the principles of organic farming. This trend has been called ‘conventionalisation’ of organic farming. In this paper we review the studies that discuss the conventionalisation of organic farming, focusing on the farm level and on evidence from Europe. We argue that to strengthen organic farming’s transformative potential, the debate must move beyond its focus on the bifurcation between artisanal and conventionalised organic farms, so as to capture the full range of empirical heterogeneity. Our core argument is that to adequately understand the dynamics within organic farming and their potential impact on the ability of organic farming to fulfil the expectations of consumers and policy-makers, it is not sufficient to focus on structural changes. Instead, we need to assess whether or not the observed changes comply with the principles and values that are the fundament of organic farming.

/pdf/conventionalisation-of-organic-farming-practices-from-3ulgadlf4z.pdf

Conventionalisation of organic farming practices: from structural criteria towards an assessment based on organic principles. A review.

Considering the normative, systemic and procedural dimensions in indicator-based sustainability assessments in agriculture

Sustainability is now regarded as a crucial property of agricultural systems and its evaluation has become a main challenge for scientists, policy makers and farmers. In the last decade, different sets of indicators have been designed both at national and international levels. Meanwhile, more practical environmental impact assessment (EIA) tools have been developed at the farm level . However, none of these indicator sets can be used at both levels. Further, most of these initiatives focus only on environmental aspects of sustainability and do not take socio-economic aspects into consideration. Indicator selection does not always fit in a consistent and comprehensive framework, although there is a strong need to integrate sustainability indicators in order to facilitate comparison and assessment. Finally, few of these works relate to Belgian agriculture, which up til now lacked a tool for assessing the sustainability of its farms. This project aims at providing a framework for assessing sustainability levels in Belgian agricultural systems (SAFE) that overcomes the deficiencies mentioned above. This is achieved by: 1. Considering the concept of agricultural sustainability in a holistic manner – SAFE accounts for all three pillars of sustainability (environmental, economic & social). 2. Developing (a) a consistent approach for defining sustainability principles and criteria and (b) a core list of sustainability indicators identified through a standardized selection procedure. The ‘SAFE selection procedure’ is a flexible scientific process that builts on knowledge and experience of numerous experts. 3. Ensuring that the tool remains as easy as possible to interpret and thus to use, thanks to the integration procedure of sustainability indicators and the graphic expression of the results. 4. Building on a generic methodology. Though the set of selected indicators presented in this report is specific to the Belgian agricultural context, the method developed for the construction of the SAFE tool can be transferred for assessing sustainability levels in other geographical (Europe, world, …) and sectorial contexts. In particular, principles and criteria defined in SAFE have a universal value. 5. Taking action at three spatial levels, depending on the scale of application: (1) parcel (2) farm or (3) watershed for surface water-related issues, landscape/ecosystem for some soil and biodiversity related issues, and administrative units (region, state) for some environmental as well as for some socio-economic issues.

Framework for assessing sustainability levels in Belgium agricultural systems - SAFE

Framework for assessing sustainability levels in Belgian agricultural systems - SAFE. Part 1: Sustainable production and consumption patterns. Final report - SPSD II CP 28

Framework for assessing sustainability levels in Belgian agricultural systems - SAFE. Final Report. Sceintific Support Plan for a Sustainable Development Policy, Part I: Sustainable Production and Consumption patterns. Belgian Science Policy, Brussels, 12

Katarzyna Biala

Papers

SAFE--A hierarchical framework for assessing the sustainability of agricultural systems

Framework for assessing sustainability levels in Belgium agricultural systems - SAFE

Framework for assessing sustainability levels in Belgian agricultural systems - SAFE. Part 1: Sustainable production and consumption patterns. Final report - SPSD II CP 28

Framework for assessing sustainability levels in Belgian agricultural systems - SAFE. Final Report. Sceintific Support Plan for a Sustainable Development Policy, Part I: Sustainable Production and Consumption patterns. Belgian Science Policy, Brussels, 12

Les indicateurs de biodiversité pour les prairies : un outil d'évaluation de la durabilité des systèmes d'élevages.