The EC is not a question of food security in the 'white paper on climate change'
April 6, 2009
Pekka Pesonen, Secretary general of the Copa-Cogeca stated thereon: "agriculture is the sector most affected by climate change." Local climatic conditions are crucial to our work, but beyond our control. While the white paper places emphasis rightly in some of the threats that loom over the food production in the EU (greater losses of crops), threats of diseases of plants and animals and lower availability of water", however, does not recognize the implications of climate change on food production."
The risks to food production
The Secretary-General has followed explaining: "climate change is undergoing risk our food production." Therefore, we need a strategic approach to maintain sustainable food production in the EU at reasonable prices, in the framework of the CAP. We need measures to ensure food security, to improve further the efficiency of our production, while at the same time they preserve the environment. The intent of this white paper are laudable. Now, not can be a full response to climate change only from an environmental policy. "No more the quality of life in rural areas will not necessarily result in a greater capacity for resistance of agriculture to climate change".
The Secretary-General has also criticized the fact that the white paper does not recognize the positive contribution of the agriculture while maintaining ecosystems, for example, using biomass and agricultural soils water storage capacityas well as facilitating recharge of aquifers faster than other land uses. It has also expressed regret that it did not give a more prominent role to the working paper on agriculture, accompanying the white paper.