Producing better and eating better in Région Sud
Région Sud has launched the 100% Sud label, in collaboration with the State and regional food chain actors, to support responsible agriculture.
This pact makes it possible to commit to responsible consumption and production in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. 'The dependence and fragility of the regional food system revealed during the health crisis can only be solved through the collaboration of everyone. By rethinking their way of consuming, citizens can help support sustainable and responsible agriculture and fishing so that all producers are ensured a fair income,' asserts Renaud Muselier, President of the Région.
Admittedly, the label guarantees product conformity based on defined criteria, reassuring consumers as proof and a guarantee of quality and trust. TOO MANY LABELS KILL LABELS 'But beware! Too many labels can kill labels,' warns Max Bauer, president of the Coordination Rurale of Var and PACA.
Admittedly, the agricultural trade unionist from Var supports and welcomes the introduction of the Label 100% Valeurs du Sud, but he adds a caveat: 'Studies highlight a complementarity effect that outweighs the proven effects of redundancy and information overload. A label aims to guide consumers' choices towards virtuous regional agricultural and food products, ensuring a fair income for producers. But beware of possible confusion!'
« Mais attention ! Trop de labels peuvent tuer les labels » alerte Max Bauer, président de la Coordination Rurale du Var et de PACA. Certes le syndicaliste agricole varois soutient et salue la mise en place du Label 100% Valeurs du Sud, mais il apporte un bémol : « Des études mettent en évidence un effet de complémentarité supérieur aux effets avérés de redondance et de surcharge d’information. Un label a pour objectif d’orienter les choix des consommateurs vers les produits agricoles et alimentaires régionaux vertueux, assurant un revenu juste des producteurs. Mais attention à une possible confusion ! Depuis 2006, Sud de France est la marque des produits d’Occitanie. La marque Sud de France identifie, sous une image commune des produits de qualité, rattachés à un territoire et à une culture. Le produit en Occitanie, c’est aussi une belle manière de tisser des liens entre les habitants et les territoires. Consommez régional, car nos emplettes sont nos emplois » ! Conçus consommateurs, les labels et promesses de qualité se sont multipliés au fil des années, laissant plus d’un consommateur perplexe devant les étiquettes. Une clarification semble urgente. « Je souhaite attirer l’attention que les évolutions, dans le futur des référentiels des labellisations n’impactent pas l’image de la marque des exploitants engagés. Un point de vigilance sur les données recueillies des produits voire des agriculteurs soient sécurisés pour éviter des pour guider et fuites. Le coût de la démarche qui le supporte : le consommateur, la collectivité, l’agriculteur ? Attention, aux emplois créés, essentiellement tournés vers la certification, qu’ils ne soient pas contre-productifs aux effets recherchés : la valorisation du produit et le prix rémunérateur pour l’agriculteur ».
Since 2006, Sud de France has been the brand for products from Occitanie. The Sud de France brand identifies quality products under a common image, linked to a territory and a culture. Products in Occitanie are also a wonderful way to build links between residents and territories.
Buy regional, because our purchases are our jobs'!
Designed to guide and reassure consumers, quality labels and promises have multiplied over the years, leaving many a consumer perplexed in front of labels. Clarification seems urgent.
'I would like to draw attention to the fact that future developments in labeling standards should not impact the brand image of the committed farmers. A point of vigilance: the data collected on products and even farmers must be secured to prevent leaks.
Who bears the cost of the process: the consumer, the local authority, the farmer? We must be careful that the jobs created, which are mainly focused on certification, are not counterproductive to the desired outcomes: product valuation and a remunerative price for the farmer.'
RESPONSIBLE AGRICULTURE With 20,000 farms, regional agriculture represents 3 billion euros in turnover and 40,000 direct jobs within the region, which has the largest Surface Agricole Utile Régionale (SAUR) organic farming area at 35.8% and 284 labeled regional products. The Région makes 'Producing better' and 'Eating better' the pillars of its regional action for responsible agriculture and food. It has initiated a partnership agreement that brings together public and private actors around common goals in support of regional agriculture and food.
The 100% Sud label is the pillar of an initiative for responsible consumption and production. The '100% Sud Produisons Consommons responsable' label reflects the shared ambition of regional partners not only to better promote our agricultural and food production, to help improve the income of farmers, fishermen, and processors, but also to ensure easy recognition by the general public and professionals of labeled products/projects/initiatives. The label is based on 4 core values: Quality, Transparency, Environmental transition, and Equity, set out in the commitment charter according to the category of the beneficiary.
Photos PRESSE AGENCE.