LOCAL FOOD POLICY AND EMPLOYMENT IN SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED EUROPEAN CITIES. MANIFESTO OF MOLLET DEL VALLÉS (BARCELONA)
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13 July 2016Mayors and other representatives met in Mollet del Vallés (Barcelona), on June 9, where they signed an important declaration at the beginning of Phase II of the AGRI-URBAN Project. Inspired by the current economic situation, the high unemployment rate, the social claim for healthy and local food, the local politicians of the AGRI-URBAN network wanted to underline the potential of small and medium European cities to create jobs and their capacity to participate in a renovated territorial relation between rural and urban areas aimed to create sustainable food systems. The Manifesto has been translated into all national languages of the AGRI-URBAN network and widely disseminated.
WE, the Mayors and official representatives of the European cities participating in the AGRI-URBAN Network, under the URBACT III Programme have co-authored this document and mutually agree to the following
We are inspired by:
- The great importance the European Union attaches to food policy, given its complex economic, social, cultural and food security dimensions.
- The different experiences and initiatives connected through the production and consumption of healthy, local food across the European Union response to a growing concern and commitment of citizens - The agreements and positions expressed at political level by numerous institutions and private sector representatives as well as civil society, especially those highlighted in the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact
We recognise that:
- Local and organic production is a very appropriate response to present needs and future challenges facing our cities.
- There is a growing awareness and interest in healthy and sustainable food in the general public.
- (The) Small and medium sized cities have an important role to play in relation to food production and te connection between urban and rural areas.
- Small and medium sized cities with agricultural experience and histories have significant potential to create and sustain employment linked to agriculture and food production now and in the future.
- The local identity and brand of small and medium sized cities can strengthened by an active role in building sustainable local food systems.
We believe:
- By sharing our experiences we can better understand our individual contexts. Through a process of critical reflection we can explore how food production and sustainable food systems can be better incorporated and form an integral part of the sustainable and comprehensive development plans of our municipalities.
We define the key contributing factors to successful local food systems as, amongst others:
- Short circuits of production and consumption
- Access to land
- Promoting employment and entrepreneurship in the sector
- Public procurement committed to local production models and quality, preferably organic
We commit to:
- Developing Integrated Local Action Plans aimed at promoting local food production and consumption in line with the ideas previously exposed
- Streamlining all actors of civil society, businesses and institutions to promote their commitment to these policies and ensure their active participation in defining and monitoring them
- Disseminating in our cities, countries and the whole European Union the results of our common work and the lessons learned, contributing in particular to strengthening the transnational work of agri-food small and medium sized cities
In Mollet del Vallès (Barcelona), June 9, 2016
Mr. Josep Monràs. Mayor of Mollet del Valles (Spain)
Mr. Jesus Rojano. Mayor of Baena (Spain)
Mr. Ziedonis Caune. Chairman of Jeljava Local Municipality (Latvia)
Mr. Darinko Dumbović. Mayor of Petrinja (Croatia)
Mr. Eric Lomba. Mayor of Marchin and President of the LAG Pays des Condruses (Belgium)
Mr. Konstantinos Maravas. Mayor of Pyli (Greece)
Mr. John L. Prosser. Deputy Mayor of Abergavenny (United Kingdom)
Mr. Paulo Alexandre Bernardo Fernandes. Mayor of Fundao (Portugal)
Mr. Pierre Aschieri. Mayor of Mouans Sartoux (France)
Ms. Boel Godner. Mayor of Södertälje (Swedem.
Mr. Paolo Lucchi. Mayor of Cesena (Italy)
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