Connecting the cereal value chain and creating sustainable certification for carbon neutral production in Europe.

Introduction

The food industry is facing a variety of challenges that need to be addressed. The most relevant and impactful in the cereal industry in Europe is the disconnection between the sectors of the value chain, which hinders compliance with the 2030 climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies set out in the green agreements (i.e. Green Deal, Farm to Fork strategy, Food security).

Objectives

To meet the challenges towards a circular and carbon-neutral industry, we must invest in solutions that connect industry stakeholders to close the loop of cereal production and, in this way, guarantee and promote food security and transition to sustainable agriculture.

Project Overview

This project creates an ecosystem throughout the entire cereal production chain, demonstrating sustainability and competitiveness in all production stages of the flour, malting, and baking industries focused on reaching the high sustainable standards of the market.

Primary Sector Initiatives

In the primary sector, the implementation of best agricultural practices (BAP) in different climatic zones and the use of innovative technologies (i.e. precision agriculture, warning systems, NIR technology) among farmers will aim to:

1. Increase productivity with greater efficiency in the use of nutrients, herbicides, and fertilizers.
2. Mitigate carbon farming practices (i.e. higher carbon sequestration in the soil and lower GHG emissions).

Processing Industry Developments

In the processing industry, standardized model contracts will be created between the different sectors to ensure a consistent supply to the European market of cereal products that comply with food security standards.

Certification and Labeling

As a result, a low-carbon emission cereals certification system will be created together with a sustainability label “Innocereal EU” that will identify sustainably produced bread, pasta, malt, and beer in the market.

Conclusion

All in all, LIFE Innocereal EU breaks through the entire food chain towards digital and sustainable production, mitigating GHGs, ensuring careful traceability, and a balanced distribution of wealth.