Author: Nonna Joosse
MSc Thesis: Small-scale, big impact
By Nonna Joosse
[full title: A legal analysis of Maltese short food suply chains initiatives in the context of European Union Common Agricultural Policy]
A growing consensus among academics, politicians, and policymakers acknowledges the significance of establishing sustainable food chains. Over the past decade, various innovative food systems have emerged to challenge the prevailing industrialised agri-food model. Among these movements, the concept of short food supply chains (SFSC) stands out for its emphasis on fairness to producers, fostering better consumer-producer relations, and supporting local economies. While examples of SFSC have proliferated throughout the European Union (EU), grassroots initiatives like SFSC face legal challenges in upsizing their practices. Therefore, this thesis delves into the pivotal role of legislation in facilitating SFSC practices within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Investigating the current representation of SFSC in agri-food legislation and exploring possible opportunities and barriers. For the thesis, Malta is chosen as a case study to assess SFSC practices and national agri-food legislation. The Maltese context is unique as it provides a small-scale example of large-scale challenges – e.g. climate change, generational renewal, and the rising gap between consumers and producers – which are encountered in the entire EU. Hence, the objective of the Maltese case study is to provide insight into improving agri-food legislation regarding SFSC in the EU. These insights are retrieved by conducting a legal analysis of CAP and Maltese legislation and by stakeholder interviews. The interviews present the ongoing legal challenges and achievements of Maltese SFSC practices. The practices are further assessed on their functions and classification in a conceptual framework. Together these research methods are the foundation for a comprehensive understanding of the legal obstacles and opportunities for SFSC actors. Insights obtained from the Maltese case study shed light on the experiences of small farmers in the EU, which is vital for assessing the influence of the CAP on SFSC practices. The research reveals that small farmers are often marginalised within CAP legislation. In general, small farmers receive inadequate income support, face exclusion from funds due to their small landholdings and encounter difficulties accessing funds due to a lack of legal guidance or government support. On the other side, the Maltese case study presents legislative achievements as well: legislation to facilitate farmers' markets, protecting farmers' land leases, and the farmer's cooperative model. These legal opportunities offer promising avenues for SFSC practices in Malta.