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The Beauce-Val de Loire regional association to develop high environmental value (HVE) certification was launched last spring. The association, which is supported by Axereal, also works within the national association for the development of HVE certification, which strives to progress and promote the standards.
Let’s take a look at the support that the cooperative offers to farmers wishing to work towards this certification as an extension to CultivUp, the Group’s general sustainable agriculture strategy.
“The cooperative’s aims as regards HVE certification for farms are in keeping with our general strategic direction. We support farmers who decide to work towards this certification to maximise the value they add to their production. We need to build solid, long-term channels and tailor the speed at which farms achieve certification to keep pace with the new markets available. HVE certification, which is recognised by the French Ministry of Agriculture and increasingly by consumers, is a genuine opportunity to secure the best returns on ever-stronger endeavours to support biodiversity, reduce inputs and protect natural resources. There are risks involved in launching this kind of approach. Consequently, the close support and guaranteed long-term markets the cooperative offers are essential to limit and secure a return on the risks taken.”, explains Guillaume Perdereau, Axereal Vice-Chairman and HVE ambassador.
Axereal has lost no time and is already involved with two promising channels, where it forms the link between HVE-certified farmers and processor clients. For several months now, Axereal has been working with pasta maker Valfleuri which has recently launched into retail stores the first line of pasta made with French durum wheat sourced from HVE-certified farms. In parallel, Axereal subsidiary Axiane Meunerie now offers craft bakers a flour made from soft wheat from HVE-certified farms. This flour is used to bake “La Croquise” baguettes, whose brand values focus on the agricultural and nutrition transition and the importance of bringing the next generation of farmers, millers and bakers into the sector.
The collective impetus of HVE certification is perfectly aligned with the Group’s cooperative spirit. It has high potential as a label to look for among consumers seeking responsible food products aligned with their values.
