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Our science is published in a variety of formats. Click here for more information. We also attend events and conferences in the UK, within Europe, and at venues around the world.CEH addresses ‘Sustainable agriculture in the 21st Century’ at 2008 Parliamentary Links Day - 24 June 2008
The Centre for Ecology & Hydrology’s Professor Rosemary Hails MBE addressed 250 MPs and scientists at yesterday’s Parliamentary Links Day organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry. This year the theme was: Science in an uncertain world: food, water, energy and climate change. Professor Hails’ was invited to talk about the importance of Sustainable agriculture in the 21st Century.
Professor Hails argued that the central role of the natural environment to our economic success and general well-being has become more fully appreciated in recent years. As a consequence, the conservation of biodiversity is now seen as more of a necessity than a luxury.
Professor Hails said, “We need to develop a 21st century approach to sustainable agriculture, which leaves old prejudices behind and adopts a reasoned, unbiased and balanced approach to the development of opportunities and the assessment of environmental impact. Modern agriculture will always have an adverse impact on biodiversity, as we harness the sun’s energy for our own use at the expense of other species. The key question is how can we continue to develop agriculture to meet our increasing demands for food and biofuels, yet lighten our environmental footprint?”
Professor Hails went on to suggest a number of solutions to this issue. These included:
- Continued investment in new technologies, with an emphasis on the reduction of inputs (e.g. pesticides, fertilisers).
- Development of a rational approach to which areas we apply our regulatory oversight (e.g. use novelty of crops & management systems as a trigger for regulation).
- Creation of regulation proportionate to the benefits and risks involved.
- Development of an evidence based holistic approach to the assessment of risks and benefits in agriculture.
Links
The Parliamentary Links Day took place on Tuesday 24 June 2008 and was organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). This year the theme was: Science in an uncertain world: food, water, energy and climate change.
Media enquiries about this work should be directed to the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology Press office.
