By Martin Banks - 9th April 2009
Europe’s policy makers must be realistic about agriculture
Friedhelm Schmider
A report released by the world's leading agricultural producers has warned that Europe must double global agricultural production by 2050 to feed an increasing population and counter the effects of climate change.
Friedhelm Schmider, director general of the Brussels-based European Crop Protection Association, said the report paints a "distressing but realistic" picture.
He said, "Europe's policy makers must be realistic about agriculture and recognise that the only way to maintain stable production, let alone double yields, is through the application of the most advanced technologies at our disposal.
"This means we must apply a very critical eye to less productive alternatives and recognise the tools our farmers need to fight plant disease and pest resistance in order to put food on our tables."
The warning comes in the wake of new pesticides laws recently approved by parliament.
The legislation introduces new regulations on the industry which, it is forecast, will lead to major changes in crop protection in the future.
Leaders from the G8 leading agricultural producers - US, Canada, Japan, Germany, UK, France, Italy and Russia - will meet in Treviso in Italy in two weeks to analyse the state of the world food supply.
The report warns that should Europe fail to increase production "the food crisis of the past two years will become structural in much of the world".
Schmider said, "Climate change will escalate pest pressure on crops so we must keep pace with these changes and make sure our agricultural policies are in tune with farm reality.
"Unfortunately, the EU's agricultural and pest management policies are currently heading in the opposite direction, actively reducing the options available to farmers without adequate scientific assessment of risk.
"Unless we see a change in direction, farmers will have a limited product portfolio to fight pests at a time when the world most needs solutions.
"In Europe, we have a great agricultural capacity but an enormous challenge ahead and not many years to plan so our actions will influence our ability to help feed ourselves and the world.
"Above all, we must not let our relative affluence cloud our vision and cut us off from the reality of sustaining the food supply."
The report's release comes ahead of a debate on crop protection, being held in parliament on 15 April.
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