We promote a genuine ecological alternative for a good environmental status of the Baltic Sea, mitigating adverse climate effects from agriculture and secure a sustainable and prosperous development in the region. It involves 24 partners from 9 countries around the Baltic Sea and 35 associated organisations, also from Russia and Norway.
Our Common Baltic Sea
The environment of the Baltic Sea is endangered. Despite various measures the
eutrophication is increasing. Input of plant nutrients from highly intensive and specialised farming are a main source. BERAS Implementation can solve this problem through a systemic shift to Ecological Recycling Agriculture (ERA) in association with the whole food chain from farmer to consumer. Our main actions
• Guiding farmers converting to ERA.
• Providing education for basic schools,
universities and farmers.
• Raising awareness and creating market opportunities for ERA products through Diet for a Clean Baltic.
• Making policy recommendations for conversion to ERA.
• Contributing to scientific assessments of the environmental, economic and social impacts of Sustainable Food Societies. The Future of Agriculture
Ecological Recycling Agriculture (ERA) integrates organic crop production and animal husbandry, aiming at self-sufficiency in plant nutrients and fodder at farm level. ERA has the potential to
• reduce more than 50 % of the nitrogen surplus
• avoid synthetic pesticides and enhance the natural control of pests through crop rotations
• reduce greenhouse gas emissions through
low input of external resources
• improve soil fertility and natural nitrogen reserves through increased legume cultivation
• protect biodiversity
• rely on regional food supply
• enhance rural development in the region
Creating Networks
Sustainable Food Societies are developed by
connecting ERA farms to other actors in the food chain – processors, distributors and consumers. The aims are to increase awareness of environmental impacts of food, increase local consumption of ERA products and strengthen sustainable rural development. Farmers, local authorities, research and the private sector are central in these networks. Full scale learning centers functioning as Sustainable Food Societies are being established in all countries in the Baltic Sea region. Diet for a Clean Baltic
We can save the environment by changing our food habits. BERAS Implementation supports individual consumers, restaurants and kitchens within the public sector by introducing the following criteria for Baltic Sea friendly food:
• Good, tasty and healthy food
• Local, organic and seasonal food
• More vegetables and less meat
• Reducing leftover food
