Proceedings of the IFOAM workshop on Internal Control Systems (ICS)

traders, etc.) have been very successful, as <strong>the</strong>y have led <strong>the</strong> EU to accept ICS for <strong>the</strong>
South. <strong>IFOAM</strong> has also published a position on ICS, which also outlines its potential
for <strong>the</strong> Nor<strong>the</strong>rn context. The role <strong>of</strong> <strong>IFOAM</strong> members has been crucial in achieving ICS
recognition: innovators like IMO and Naturland have for instance contributed greatly.
E. ICS potential and obstacles
Referring mainly to <strong>the</strong> conditions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir own countries, <strong>the</strong> participants
identified <strong>the</strong> following obstacles to ICS implementation in Europe.
Obstacles Areas <strong>of</strong> application
Farmers don’t usually like giving up some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir All represented countries
independence. This is especially problematic in <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong>
collective marketing that might exclude individual marketing
<strong>of</strong> produce, while individual marketing is an important
strategy for farmers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> North. This was reflected in a
participant’s statement that cooperatives are <strong>of</strong>ten more a
problem than a solution, e.g. when <strong>the</strong>y request 100% sale <strong>of</strong>
a certain product to <strong>the</strong> cooperative (requirement that might
also be necessary under an ICS).
Cultural resistance <strong>of</strong> most Nor<strong>the</strong>rn farmers (and All represented countries
especially <strong>of</strong> organic farmers) towards being in a group
and cooperating. Organic farmers are mainly individualists,
and this is partly because <strong>the</strong>y started individually. They
need external input in order to cooperate. This is however
not always true: some farmers have a group custom and some
even have common marketing, although <strong>the</strong>y <strong>of</strong>ten don’t want to
cooperate too much. This is culturally determined.
Lack <strong>of</strong> government sensitivity and vision for small All represented countries
producers.
Lack <strong>of</strong> clearly defined vision on eligible groups for ICS
(how to define <strong>the</strong> group?). The participants decided that
this question is crucial (see part F <strong>of</strong> this report).
General
Nor<strong>the</strong>rn farmers tend to have diverse crops in different Most countries but less
market channels, with each farmer having his “own” true in Mediterranean and
marketing. If group certification is based on common marketed Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Europe countries
products <strong>the</strong> problem remains what to do about <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r where common marketing is
products that are not part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> group certification scheme? more common
Initial organization into an ICS is difficult (need for All represented countries
advice but lack <strong>of</strong> awareness <strong>of</strong> that), costly (financial
resources needed for advice and system building) and risky
(initial financial investment in ICS establishment while ICS
project might stop). In addition, <strong>the</strong>re is <strong>the</strong> difficulty <strong>of</strong>
distinguishing <strong>the</strong> roles <strong>of</strong> inspectors and advisors.
Costs <strong>of</strong> running ICS (internal inspection + external Especially in western
inspection <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> system and partial re-inspection <strong>of</strong> Europe countries
farmers). In particular, internal inspections are more costly
in <strong>the</strong> North than in <strong>the</strong> South due to high labour costs.
Diversity <strong>of</strong> European production systems makes General
coordination and advocacy difficult.
Lack <strong>of</strong> capacity for proper documentation and for In all represented
understanding EU regulation criteria thoroughly, especially countries and especially
regarding livestock.
in Eastern Europe
Legal constraint regarding minimum size <strong>of</strong> farmed land.
e.g. in France, below 2 ha you are not recognized as a
farmer.
France
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