This is an interesting report.
With the increasing carbon emissions, rising population, rapid desertification of arable
land areas, and eroding biodiversity, drastic changes in agricultural policies,
institutions, and practices must take place to slow down the degradation of vital
ecosystems, according to a recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
At present, there is a dearth of information on environmental risks associated with
agriculture, and a lack of strategic framework for identifying ecologically and
economically sound agricultural practices. Important issues that should be addressed
include the impact of livestock production on the environment, and the effect of biofuels
monoculture production on biodiversity.
http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2007/1000542/index.htmlAgriculture key player to stop degradation of vital ecosystems
Environmental degradation could threaten agricultural productivity and food security
25 April 2007, Rome – Agriculture offers important solutions for many of today’s environmental problems, FAO said today in a report prepared for its Committee on Agriculture meeting in Rome (25-28 April 2007).
“Agriculture is often responsible for environmental degradation, such as non-sustainable food production, poor fuel use, natural resource depletion and habitat exploitation. But at the same time farmers should be considered as key players in stopping degradation of vital ecosystems,” said Alexander Müller, FAO Assistant Director-General.
“It needs the political will to reverse the degradation of ecosystems through the change of agricultural policies, institutions and practices. Agriculture has to be at the centre stage if we want to preserve an ecological balance on which current and future generations can depend,” Müller said.
“Without changing gear, environmental degradation could threaten agricultural productivity and food security.”
“Much of the discussion regarding biodiversity, climate change and bioenergy is currently taking place without the effective participation of the agricultural sector and ministries,” Müller said.
“This needs to be changed. Furthermore, we urgently need a global analysis about the environmental risks associated with agriculture, a strategic framework for identifying ecologically and economically sound approaches,” he said.
>> More at the link.
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