Key Issues and Information Resources - Agri-Food Production and Biodiversity

Sustainable
Agri-Food Production
and Consumption
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	Agri-food Production and Bio-diversity
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KEY ISSUES AND INFORMATION SOURCES -
Agri-food Production and Biodiversity

Agricultural biodiversity includes all components of biological diversity relevant to food and agriculture. It also includes all components of biological diversity that constitute the agro-ecosystem: the variety and variability of animals, plants and micro-organisms, at the genetic, species and ecosystem levels which are necessary to sustain key functions of the agro-ecosystem, its structure and processes.

Human activities are destroying Earth's biological wealth at an unprecedented rate. There is a strong consensus that the extinction spasm now being caused by human activities is greater than any since the dinosaurs died out 65 million years ago. This damage is irreversible and -- many believe -- unethical. What's more, given humanity's dependence on food crops and other biological resources, it is also dangerous to our species.

Impacts of agri-food production activities on biological diversity can be negative and irreversible. However, this trend is not inevitable. Different approaches to agri-food production are being developed so as to minimise its negative impacts and render it more sustainable.

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Information resources provided by various stakeholders:

FAO BIOTECHNOLOGY IN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

FAO was founded in October 1945 with a mandate to raise levels of nutrition and standards of living, to improve agricultural productivity, and to better the condition of rural populations.

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

Specific pages of interest:

http://www.fao.org/biotech/index.asp - The site presents an overview of FAO's activities in the area of biotechnology in food and agriculture, including the organization's statement on biotechnology. It also provides an introduction to biotechnology in the agro-industry, crop, fisheries, forestry and livestock sectors and a list of news items and events. In addition, the site contains an e-mail forum on biotechnology in food and agriculture, a biotechnology glossary and links to other relevant sites. Apart from English, it is also available in Arabic, Chinese, French and Spanish.

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION of the United Nations

is a specialised agency whose purpose is to raise levels of nutrition and standards of living, to improve agricultural productivity, and to better the condition of rural populations.

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

Specific pages of interest:

http://www.fao.org/sd/epdirect/EPre0080.htm - shows the report: Sustaining agricultural biodiversity and agro-ecosystem functions. It is a result of an International Technical Workshop. The report includes case studies presented at the workshop and recommendations for the further development and implementation of an integrated Work Programme on Agricultural Biodiversity. This report takes into account initiatives already in place and focuses on continued co-operation between governments, intergovernmental institutions, non-governmental organisations and the private sector.

THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

was developed to ensure the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources.

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

Specific pages of interest:

http://www.biodiv.org/programmes/areas/agro/default.asp - is established within the website of the International Convention on Biological Diversity. It provides information on the various dimensions of agricultural biodiversity, a multi-year programme, official documents of the International Convention on Biological Diversity, case studies, information sources and a roster of experts.

IUCN - THE WORLD CONSERVATION UNION

IUCN is the world's largest conservation-related organisation, bringing together 76 states, 111 government agencies, 732 NGOs, 36 affiliates, and some 10,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries in a unique worldwide partnership. Its mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.

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

Specific pages of interest:

http://www.gbf.ch/ - The Global Biodiversity Forum (GBF) is an independent and open mechanism to analyze and discuss priority ecological, economic, institutional and social issues related to the options for action to conserve biodiversity, and use biological resources sustainably and equitably. It is designed to provide a multi-stakeholder forum to support and enhance the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and other biodiversity-related instruments at the national and international levels.

TECHNICAL CENTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND RURAL COOPERATION

This site aims to develop and provides services which improve access to information for agricultural and rural development. It aims to strengthen the capacity of ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific countries) to produce, acquire, exchange and utilise information in these areas.

Organisation web site: http://www.agricta.org/index.htm.

Specific pages of interest:

http://www.agricta.org/icdd/radio.htm - CTA launched a rural radio support programme in 1990. Under the programme, an information package consisting of taped interviews accompanied by a complete transcript and radio talks is distributed. To promote the exchange of information and experience, CTA organises seminars and workshops http://www.agricta.org/ssd/index.htm

FORUM DE L'AGRICULTURE RAISONEE RESPECTUEUSE DE L'ENVIRONNEMENT (FARRE)

FARRE, the forum for environment-friendly Integrated Farming (Forum de l'Agriculture Raisonn�e Respectueuse de l'Environnement) is a non-profit-making inter-professional association. The purpose of FARRE is to promote Integrated Farming in order to increase public awareness of the practice.

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

Specific pages of interest:

http://www.farre.org/fermes/ferme_home.htm - is where you can find information about their "farms exchange network", which provides a platform for sharing experiences and developments between professionals, and also the opportunity to communicate with the non-farming community. The different farms accurately reflect the diversity of French farming.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FORESTRY, AUSTRALIA (AFFA)

is the Commonwealth department responsible for helping Australian agricultural, food, fisheries and forest industries become more competitive, profitable and sustainable and thereby creating jobs, particularly in regional Australia.

Organisation web site: http://www.affa.gov.au.

THE BIODIVERSITY SUPPORT PROGRAM (BSP)

is a consortium of World Wildlife Fund (WWF), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and World Resources Institute (WRI). BSP's mission is to promote conservation of the world's biological diversity, believing that a healthy and secure living resource base is essential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations.

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

Specific pages of interest:

http://www.bsponline.org/bsp/programs/africa/agbio.html - Sustainable agriculture and biodiversity is one of the major areas in which BSP works. Reports from various parts of the world can be found on the website.

OPTIMAWORLD

The fundamental ideology behind the Optima Group is the development of a synergistic relationship between commercial activities and protection of the environment through sustainable long term programs.

Organisation web site: http://www.optimaworld.com/.

Specific pages of interest:

http://www.optimaworld.com/eng/engcommerce.html - In this page, you can have details about one of the Optima Group's activities focused on the development of products available from the multipurpose, drought tolerant tree Moringa Oleifera.

THE WORLD BUSINESS COUNCIL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (WBCSD)

is a coalition of 125 international companies united by a shared commitment to the environment and to the principles of economic growth and sustainable development.

Organisation web site: http://www.wbcsd.ch/.

Specific pages of interest:

http://www.wbcsd.org/newscenter/media.htm#reports - Business and Biodiversity - A Guide for the Private Sector (1997) is a joint publication by the WBCSD and the IUCN - The World Conservation Union. The aim of this publication is to bring valuable insights and experiences which are increasingly converging on the same objective - that of ensuring that the world's wealth of natural resources is there for future generations.

ETC GROUP: ACTIONGROUP ON EROSION, TECHNOLOGY AND CONCENTRATION

ETC group is dedicated to the conservation and sustainable advancement of cultural and ecological diversity and human rights. To this end, ETC group supports socially responsible developments of technologies useful to the poor and marginalized and it addresses international governance issues and corporate power. ETC group's strength is in the research and analysis of technological information (particularly but not exclusively plant genetic resources, biotechnology, and [in general] biological diversity), and in the development of strategic options related to the socioeconomic ramifications of new technologies. In the specific page URL, there is a specific article about the Terminator's Wider Implications.

Organisation web site: http://www.etcgroup.org/about.asp.

Specific pages of interest:

http://www.etcgroup.org/article.asp?newsid=184 -

WORLD RESOURCE INSTITUTE

provides information, ideas, and solutions to global environmental problems.

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

Specific pages of interest:

http://www.wri.org/sustag/ - This page provides a recent report on "Linking Biodiversity and Agriculture: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Food Security". "Current approaches to address these challenges are too slow and too small." WRI focuses its effort on halting the degradation of biological resources and enhancing their contribution to development. Its activities in this area include agriculture, forests, oceans and coasts.

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT (IIED)

is an independent, non-profit organisation with a mission to promote sustainable patterns of world development through collaborative research, policy studies, consensus building and public information.IIED's principal aim is to improve the management of natural resources so that communities and countries of the South can improve living standards without jeopardising their resource base. IIED provides information about different research such as in biodiversity, in dryland. You can also download documents where more detailed information on the research may be found.

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

FRENCH AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CIRAD)

A French development-oriented agricultural research organization serving the tropics and subtropics. The life sciences and social sciences applied to agriculture, forestry, animal production, natural resource management, agri-foods, ecosystems and communities in developing countries. CIRAD works in over 50 countries worldwide, on targeted research for developing countries. Throughout its history, it has established and maintained close links with communities, agricultural, animal and forest production sites and physical and biological environments in the tropics and subtropics.

Organisation web site: http://www.cirad.fr/en/le_cirad/index.php.

� 2000 - United Nations Environment Programme