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02 December 2004 Science is Essential for Eco-friendly Farming How can science help UK farmers farm sustainably, without damaging the environment and wider biodiversity, and yet also remain competitive in an increasingly liberalised global market? This is one of the fundamental questions addressed in a new report 'Enhancing the Eco-Efficiency of Agriculture' published today by BCPC, a UK-based charity which provides a forum for organisations and individuals with an interest in the science and practice of crop production. The report is a summary from a two-day Forum which brought together 52 experts to debate the issues. These included scientists, social scientists, economists, ethicists, business people and farmers from the UK, other EU countries, the USA and New Zealand. "One of the key messages coming out of the Forum is that agriculture will have to change if it is to survive after 2012 when the current arrangements under the Common Agricultural Policy come to an end," explains Dr Barry Thomas, chairman of BCPC. "The nature of that change, however, remains unclear. Farmers lack direction. Agricultural scientists are confused about the strategic goals that should guide their work and the public have not been drawn into any discussion about what they want from agriculture and would therefore be prepared to fund. As a consequence, we believe that the Government must now give priority to the development a National Strategy for Agriculture post 2012. This has to be based on common agreement between all the stakeholders – Government, farmers, environmentalists and the public." Although the future shape of farming is yet to be defined, the report suggests that all the indications are that it will have to move towards a more eco-efficient system. "Achieving the triple goals of eco-efficiency – economic efficiency, environmental sustainability and rural viability – will require significant supporting research," maintains Dr Thomas. So, any move towards eco-friendly farming is going to be research intensive. The public perception that environmentally-friendly farming simply involves reversing the clock is an illusion. This is because the future economic climate for food will simply not allow this. Although world population increase will lead to greater demand for food, UK agriculture will not be able to compete profitably in an international free market without becoming more efficient, flexible and productive. The real ‘win win’ will be to achieve competitiveness at the same time as delivering environmental benefits. Only new technology and landscape management techniques can offer the key to achieving this. There are many ways in which science will be able to help the development of eco-efficient farming. For example, it can begin by plugging the gaps in current understanding of ecological and environmental processes and by finding more meaningful and measurable long term indicators of eco-efficiency – at present too much reliance is placed on simplistic thinking such as the use of emblematic species singled out by pressure groups. It is unlikely that one particular route, such as bio-engineering, integrated farm management or reduced input farming, will be the answer. What will be required is an integrated approach. The new report also stresses the need to understand, define and develop markets for new eco-services. So, for example, if farmers manage their land to minimise flood risk or to maximise greenhouse gas absorption, society needs to decide how much this is worth and where those farmers providing such services should get their reward from. In summary, the UK must move towards a more knowledge intensive, innovative agriculture that delivers public goods such as clean water, biodiversity and leisure activities as well as food. Science will be essential, but eco-friendly farming will only be successful if a better mechanism can be developed for both transferring the knowledge gained to users and for holding a dialogue with all stakeholders. This will ensure that research delivers what is required in a publicly acceptable manner. |
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