Deliverable 6.4: Sustainability assessment report of case farms working with alternatives to contentious inputs

Summary

This sustainability report is based on the sustainability evaluation of 10 case farms, using the RISE (Response Inducing Sustainability Evaluation) methodology, designed by the School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, HAFL. The case farms represent a wide range of organic farms in Europe, experimenting with alternatives to contentious inputs. Results of the case farm reports were discussed in two additional expert workshops, who have been working with the topical work packages (WP) of Organic-PLUS, WP SOIL, WP PLANT and WP LIVESTOCK. Work in progress and results from these WPs have given rise to discussions, which are reflected in this report. Specifically, alternatives for conventional manure, copper and antibiotics were identified.
Regardless of case farm, biodiversity scored in a lower range, but this was not specifically linked to any of the contentious inputs. The lack of some nutrients on some of the case farms was more a conscious choice, than supply problem. If this resulted in lower yields this was not always seen as a problem, particularly if there were community shares (e.g. in vegetable boxes which required all year round supply) or when mitigated by premium prices (e.g. high quality wine or olive oils).
Some farms were in the process of replacement, by using composted biogas digestate. Replacement of copper by substitution with alternative treatments was not seen to be a simple solution.
A set of preventive measures was recorded, including more resistant varieties, management, combinations of natural repellents, but also the acceptance of lower yields to guarantee alignment to organic principles and not create non-disputable products towards the specific consumers (e.g. vegan consumers).
Antibiotic use in organic livestock was identified as being reduced, but not completely gone. Organic livestock farmers increase vaccination, preventive measures and alternative treatments, using farmer schools to gain and exchange of experiences. Ultimately, avoidance of animal cruelty by treating sick animals, is thought to be more ethical than culling or selling to conventional farms, where animals would potentially live in poorer or even industrial conditions.