Porotrapac is a Spanish coalition set up in March 2019 to link up with the European movement pushing for a new CAP, for example Living Land (https://www.living-land.org/ourvision). The Spanish name Por Otra PAC means ‘For a different CAP’. Following the lead of French, German and Italian food and farming coalitions, the Porotrapac Coalition is an opportunity for Spanish civil society to join forces to push for a truly sustainable CAP. It is made up of “organisations defending environment and consumers, as well those representing and promoting nutrition and health, sustainable and organic agriculture, rural development, and transhumance. Its purpose is clear – to be a “full-fledged” partner on the ongoing CAP negotiations and to influence debates on the future of CAP in relevant forums at the national and European level (i.e. the Spanish and European Parliaments, the European Commission, as well as regional and national public administrations)”.
Por Otra Pac’s vision is to reach an agroecological transition that ensures sustainable, just, responsible and healthy agro-food systems. Their mission is “true reform” of the CAP, which is beneficial to all citizens. For that the CAP should be:
- fair and equitable to those engaged in agriculture, livestock breeding and with other inhabitants of rural areas. Provide decent working conditions for those producers who are committed to sustainability, creating jobs in the villages;
- healthy, in a way that ensures that all have access to a healthy and sustainable diet;
- respectful to the environment, supporting good agricultural practices that produce food whilst preserving natural resources, climate, biodiversity and animal welfare and
- globally responsible, considering the sustainable development of the whole planet and the impact on producers within and outside EU borders.
Porotrapac makes 20 points, all of which are easy to agree with. The soil is mentioned at points 15 and 19. Here they are in their entirety:
“15. Succeed in integrating the environmental targets necessary for future planning of the CAP.
Assess and integrate the contribution of the farming sector into the management requirements of the Natura2000 network, to land connectivity (including through systems of high natural value and restoration of ecosystems), improving the condition of water bodies, combating desertification, preserving agro diversity, recovering the natural fertility of the soil, as well as achieving climate and sustainable development targets. Preserve the health of ecosystems as a guarantee of food production.”
19.Manage risks to health and the climate from the outset, through information, prevention, adaptation and the demonstration of environmental resilience.
Include mechanisms to increase the resilience of farms, based on the principles of agroecological management. The starting point will be the adaptation of agroecosystems to climate change by reducing the use of pesticides and water – in order to create minimal environmental impact – paying particular attention to areas where desertification is starting to occur. Improvements in soil fertility will be encouraged, as will the circular economy and the closure of cycles, at both local and farming levels. Recycling of nutritive elements will be guaranteed, connecting agricultual production with zootechnics, composting, and improving the cultivation of legumes and protein crops.”
Further info here
Gruppo Suolo Europa 