Key Issues and Information Resources

Sustainable
Agri-Food Production
and Consumption
Forum

	Introduction
	Agri-food Production and Bio-diversity
	Water Use and Water Pollution
	Energy
	Climate Change
	Food Safety and Biotechnology
	Use of Chemicals
	Desertification
	Trade and Environment
	Consumption
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KEY ISSUES AND INFORMATION SOURCES -
Use of Chemicals

Many of the negative environmental effects of agri-food production are associated with chemical use, especially that of mineral fertilizers and pesticides.

The use of mineral fertilizers, which has expanded tremendously since 1960, is one of the factors contributing to the "Green Revolution" and has vastly increased global agricultural yields. However, to be effective, fertilizers need to be applied at the right times and in the correct quantities and balances. If this is not done, through ignorance or for other reasons, some or most of the fertilizer will be wasted and can impact the environment. The same holds true for pesticides.

The introduction of synthetic pesticides (insecticides, fungicides and herbicides) has changed the concept of pest control and permitted agricultural intensification. Heavy reliance on such compounds, which began with their development in the '40s, currently generates annual sale revenues of approximately US$ 25 to 30 billion. The rapid growth in the use of pesticides in agriculture has increased the level of risks for the users of pesticides, the consumers of treated foodstuff, domestic animals and the environment. There are also other health and environmental impacts resulting from the use of chemicals in food processing and packaging.

Chemical use is largely inevitable in the current practice of food production and consumption. This will remain the case for a long period of time if world food demand is to be satisfied. The question is how to maximise the benefits of chemical use in food production and to minimise the associated environmental impacts.

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Information resources provided by various stakeholders:

UNEP’S OZONACTION PROGRAMME

One of UNEP's roles as an implementing Agency under the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol is to provide a clearinghouse function to assist developing countries with their phase out of ozone depleting substances (ODS).

Organisation web site: http://www.uneptie.org/ozonaction.html.

Specific pages of interest:

http://www.uneptie.org/ozone/sector/mebr.html - Information Resources for Methyl Bromide Phase-out provided by the OzonAction Programme contains general awareness raising materials, technical information on alternatives and case studies, and policies and strategies that governments can apply to the phase-out of methyl bromide.

UNITED NATIONS FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION

An important FAO programme related to chemical use is Integrated Pest Management.

Organisation web site: http://www.fao.org.

Specific pages of interest:

http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/FAOINFO/AGRICULT/AGP/AGPP/IPM/Default.htm - Since the mid-1960s, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has been advocated by FAO as the preferred pest control strategy. IPM is the careful integration of a number of available pest control techniques that discourage the development of pest populations and keep pesticides and other interventions to levels that are economically justified and safe for human health and the environment. IPM emphasises the growth of a healthy crop with the least possible disruption of agro-ecosystems, thereby encouraging natural pest control mechanisms.

ROTTERDAM CONVENTION ON PRIOR INFORMED CONSENT (PIC)

The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure For Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade was adopted at a Conference of Plenipotentiaries in Rotterdam on 10 September 1998.

Organisation web site: http://www.pic.int/.

PESTICIDES FORUM

was set up as a joint venture between the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions of the United Kingdom and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The Forum's membership brings together a wide range of organisations representing those who make, use or advise on pesticides as well as environmental, conservation and consumer interests. Many of the Forum members are already engaged in initiatives to promote best practice. The Forum provides a mechanism for exchanging ideas and for encouraging joint initiatives to address particular issues. It also provides advice to Government on Pesticide usage matters.

Organisation web site: .

Specific pages of interest:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/pesticidesforum/index.htm -

INTERNATIONAL FERTILIZER INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (IFA)

is a non-profit industrial organisation with approximately 500 member companies in about 80 countries which:
- actively promotes efficient and responsible production and use of plant nutrients to maintain and increase agricultural production worldwide in a sustainable manner.
- seeks to improve the operating environment of the fertilizer industry in the spirit of free enterprise and fair trade.
- collects, compiles and disseminates information, and provides a discussion forum for its members and others on all aspects of the production, distribution and consumption of fertilizers, their intermediates and raw materials.

Organisation web site: http://www.fertilizer.org.

Specific pages of interest:

http://www.fertilizer.org/ifa/publicat.asp - It publishes a variety of information and technical materials on fertilizers statistics, environmental management of fertilizer life-cycle.

CROP LIFE INTERNATIONAL

is the recognised world-wide representative of the Crop Protection Industry.Its network comprises of six Regional Associations: Africa/Middle-East, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Japan, Latin America and North America. These in turn encompass the national associations of their regions. It provides information and technical guidelines on effective and safe use and handling of crop protection products. It also provides information on water quality monitoring, risk assessment, etc.

Organisation web site: http://www.croplife.org.

UNEP CHEMICAL PROGRAMME

UNEP Chemicals is the center for all chemicals-related activities of the United Nations Environment Programme. The goal is to make the world a safer place from toxic chemicals. They do this by helping governments take needed global actions for the sound management of chemicals, by promoting the exchange of information on chemicals, and by helping to build the capacities of countries around the world to use chemicals safely. There are informations on: Persistent Organic Pollutants, Persistent Toxic Substances, Global Mercury Assessment, POPs Global Monitoring Programme , Government Efforts to Phase Out Lead in Gasoline,Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management, Pollutant Release & Transfer Registers, Inventory of Information Sources on Chemicals.

Organisation web site: http://www.chem.unep.ch/.