High Environmental Value (HVE) is a French certification aimed at recognizing and promoting environmentally friendly farming practices. It is awarded to farms that commit to preserving natural resources, limiting the impact of their activities on biodiversity, and reducing the use of chemical inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers. This label, launched in 2011, is part of the environmental certification framework for farms established by the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
The main objective of the HVE certification is to encourage and promote sustainable agriculture while highlighting the efforts of farmers who adopt practices that respect ecosystems, biodiversity, water quality, and pollution reduction.
The Three Levels of Environmental Certification
The environmental certification for farms is divided into three levels, with High Environmental Value (HVE) being the highest.
- Level 1: This level involves awareness and compliance with regulations. Farmers must understand key environmental regulations and commit to improving their practices.
- Level 2: This level requires adherence to a set of environmental criteria defined by specific guidelines. Farms must follow good agricultural practices to reduce their environmental impact.
- Level 3 (High Environmental Value): This is the highest level and is awarded to farms that achieve tangible results in biodiversity conservation, reduction of chemical inputs, water management, and soil quality maintenance. The HVE certification is based on performance indicators measuring these aspects globally.
Criteria for HVE Certification
To achieve HVE certification, farms must meet several criteria grouped around four main themes:
- Biodiversity: Biodiversity conservation is a core focus of the certification. Farmers must demonstrate that they integrate and encourage biodiversity on their farms, through the presence of hedgerows, grass strips, orchards, or non-cultivated areas to support local wildlife and plant species.
- Phytosanitary Strategy: This criterion measures the reduction in the use of phytosanitary products (pesticides and herbicides). Farms must limit the use of these chemicals, prioritize biological or mechanical alternatives, and demonstrate their ability to manage risks associated with their use.
- Fertilization Management: Farms must show that they efficiently manage soil fertilization by reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and promoting organic amendments to improve soil quality while protecting water from pollution risks.
- Water Management: This criterion evaluates irrigation practices and water resource management. Farms must prove that they optimize water use, minimize waste, and use more water-efficient irrigation systems.
Benefits of HVE Certification
Obtaining HVE certification offers several advantages for farmers:
- Economic Value: The HVE label allows agricultural products to stand out in the marketplace, giving producers a competitive edge, especially in viticulture, horticulture, and cereal crops. Consumers are increasingly seeking products from environmentally friendly farming practices.
- Recognition of Efforts: This certification highlights the efforts of farmers in adopting sustainable practices, providing official recognition of their commitment to environmental protection.
- Contribution to Sustainability: By adopting HVE-certified practices, farmers contribute to biodiversity conservation, reduce water and soil pollution, and ensure responsible use of natural resources.
- Access to Subsidies: Some public subsidies or tax benefits may be available to HVE-certified farms as part of policies supporting sustainable agriculture.
Conclusion
High Environmental Value (HVE) is a certification that promotes farms that adopt environmentally friendly practices by protecting biodiversity, reducing chemical inputs, and optimizing resource management. It is a label that supports the transition to more sustainable agriculture, helping consumers choose products that are respectful of the planet.