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agroecology.scienceProjectsRetour aux sources

Organics that go further - retour aux sources

The “Organics that go further − retour aux sources” brand for Aldi Suisse encompasses the development of production standards, their implementation along the entire value chain, the development and automation of a holistic approach to assessing sustainability, advice for farmers and the optimisation of agricultural holdings.

The results-led and verifiable greening of agriculture is a major concern for us and our project partners. It prompted us to develop the AELSA (Accurate Efficient Local Sustainability Assessment) analysis tool, which allows us to assess sustainability and give good advice to the retour aux sources farmers. In the future, our aim is to provide farmers with tools that enable them to optimise their farms themselves in terms of climate, biodiversity and environmental performance, while at the same time remaining economically viable (online self-check). Our partner, the consultancy Werner Lampert Beratungsges.mbH, oversees the overall implementation of the retour aux sources brand and guarantees complete transparency and traceability of retour aux source products right back to the farm gate.

The strategy for Aldi Suisse’s retour aux sources production system for sustainable, animal welfare-oriented and eco-efficient organic milk and meat is as follows:

"Robust cattle breeds that produce milk yields at appropriate levels and maintain good udder health can be fed on grass only. In conjunction with preventive herd health management, their good condition ensures that they can be kept healthy without recourse to antibiotics. The lower yield (low-output) is thus offset by a much lower input of resources and farm inputs (low-input). The pasture-based system conserves biodiversity and promotes animal welfare. Calves destined for dairying are allowed to grow up on their home farm and are later placed on organic pasture-based cattle farms. The system thus allows for species-appropriate husbandry and keeps the animals healthy, while also ensuring that grassland is used as efficiently as possible for food production. All-encompassing farm sustainability assessments make certain that conflicting objectives are minimised and synergies are leveraged. Continuous further improvement of production is an overarching objective."

However, at retour aux sources we do not limit ourselves to milk and meat, but transpose the principles and values of this sustainable production system to other areas of production as well. In addition to dairying and pastured beef production, we are also applying the approach to layer hens. In the area of crop production, we are committed to the sustainable use of pesticides and fertilisers. With this aim in mind, our work is focused on specialist crops, especially vegetables and fruit. We are constantly expanding the brand programme.

Further Information

Contacts

Project team at the Institute of Agroecology

Weblinks

 

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