Canada and Agenda
21Canada and Agenda
21
CHAPTER 14
Promoting Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development
-- Department of Agriculture --
The views expressed in this chapter reflect the input of a number of stakeholders and do not necessarily represent the views of the Government of Canada or the Projet de Société.
THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM
By the year 2025, it has been projected that global population will reach 8.5 billion, 83% of which will be in developing countries. However, the capacity of available resources and technologies to satisfy the food and other agricultural commodity demands of this growing population remains uncertain. Concurrently, over the last decade, there has been a growing concern about the environmental consequences of some agricultural practices and policies. Environmental impacts, may include ground and surface water pollution, soil erosion and compaction, drainage of wetlands, air pollution from intensive manure production and crop spraying, loss of landscape amenity and habitat diversity, and clearance of marginal land.
Agriculture needs to meet the challenge of increased demand while creating and maintaining conditions of sustainability. The main objective of sustainable agriculture and rural development (SARD) is to increase food production in a sustainable way and enhance food security. Priority must be given to maintaining and improving the capacity of higher potential and existing agricultural lands to support an expanding population, while at the same time avoiding further encroachment on land that is only marginally suitable for cultivation. Chapter 14 recognizes the importance of SARD and equates its success to the support and participation of rural people, national governments, the private sector and international cooperation, including that of a technical and scientific exchanges.
Concurrent with the developments under UNCED, international agencies, such as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have recognized, and are addressing, the interdependence between
agriculture and the environment, and national governments, including Canada are developing policies and programs which meet SARD objectives. A 1993 OECD publication, Agricultural and Environmental Policy Integration: Recent Progress and New Directions, notes that sustainability of the natural resource base is critical to the agriculture sector. Four aspects to this sustainability are noted; an on-going economically viable agricultural production system, maintenance or enhancement of the farm's natural resources base, maintenance or enhancement of other ecosystems affected by agricultural activities, and the provision of natural amenity and aesthetic qualities.
PROGRAM AREAS AND OBJECTIVES
The chapter identifies twelve major program areas, each with a number of objectives. These are outlined below.
(1)Review agricultural policy.
By 1995, to review and, where appropriate, establish a program to integrate environmental and sustainable development with policy analysis...
By 1998, to maintain and develop operational multisectoral plans, programs and policy measures to enhance sustainable food production and food security...
By 2005, to maintain and enhance the ability of developing countries, particularly the least developed ones, to themselves manage policy, programming and planning activities...
(2)Ensure people's participation.
To promote greater public awareness of the role of people's participation and people's organizations, especially women's groups, youth, indigenous people and people under occupation, local communities and small farmers, in sustainable agriculture and rural development...
To ensure equitable access of rural people, particularly women, small farmers, landless and indigenous people and people under occupation, to land, water and forest resources and to technologies, financing, marketing, processing and distribution...
To strengthen and develop the management and internal capacities of rural people's organizations and extension services and to decentralize decision-making to the lowest community level...
(3)Improve farm production and farming systems.
To improve farm productivity in a sustainable manner and increase diversification, efficiency, food security and rural incomes, while minimizing risks to the ecosystem...
To enhance self-reliance of farms in developing and improving rural infrastructure, and to facilitate the transfer of environmentally sound technologies for integrated production and farming systems, including indigenous technologies and the sustainable use of biological and ecological process, including agroforestry, sustainable wildlife conservation and management, aquaculture, inland fisheries and animal husbandry...
To create farm and non-farm employment opportunities...
(4) Land resource planning, information and education.
To harmonize planning procedures, involve farmers in the planning process, collect land-resource data, design and establish databases, identify resource problems and values...
To establish national and local agricultural planning bodies to decide priorities, channel resources and implement programs...
(5) Land conservation and rehabilitation.
By year 2000, to review and initiate national land-resource surveys...
To prepare and implement comprehensive policies and programs leading to the reclamation of degraded lands and the conservation of areas at risk, and to improve the general planning, management and utilization of land resources and preserve soil fertility...
(6) Water for sustainable food production and rural development.
Objectives included in Chapter 18...
(7) Conservation and sustainable utilization of plant genetic resources.
To complete the first regeneration and safe duplication of existing ex situ collections on a world-wide basis...
To collect and study plants useful for increasing food production through joint network activities...
By year 2000, to adopt policies and programs for in situ on-farm and ex situ conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources...
To take appropriate measures for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits and results of research and development in plant breeding between the sources and users of plant genetic resources...
(8) Conservation and sustainable utilization of animal genetic resources.
To enumerate and describe all breeds of livestock and begin a 10-year program of action...
To establish and implement action programs to identify breeds at risk, with the nature of the risk and appropriate preservation measures...
To establish and implement development programs for indigenous breeds to guarantee their survival...
(9)Integrated pest management and control.
By year 2000, to improve and implement plant protection and animal health services, including mechanisms to control the distribution and use of pesticides, and to implement the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides...
To improve and implement programs to put integrated pest-management practices within the reach of farmers...
By year 1998, to establish operational and interactive networks among farmers, researchers and extension services to promote and develop integrated pest management...
(10)Sustainable plant nutrition.
By year 2000, to develop and maintain integrated plant nutrition approach, and to optimize availability of fertilizer and other plant nutrient sources...
By year 2000, to establish and maintain institutional and human infrastructure to enhance effective decision-making on soil productivity...
To develop and make available national and international know-how to farmers, extension agents, planners and policy makers on environmentally sound new and existing technologies and soil-fertility management strategies for application in promoting sustainable agriculture...
(11) Rural energy transition.
By year 2000, to initiate and encourage a process of environmentally sound energy transition in rural communities...
To increase the energy inputs available for rural household and agro-industrial needs through planning and technology transfer and development...
To implement self-reliant rural programs favouring sustainable development of renewable energy sources and improved energy efficiency...
(12)Evaluation of the effects of ultraviolet radiation on plants and animals.
To undertake research to determine effects of increased UV radiation on Earth's surface, plant and animal life, and its impact on agriculture, and to develop strategies aimed at mitigating its adverse effects...
CANADIAN POSITIONS AT RIO
1.Official Canadian Position
Canadian objectives at UNCED included:
(1)to seek to promote food security and local self-sufficiency as a goal for all nations, rather than focusing on the more narrow goal of increasing food production per se;
(2)to seek to link human settlements to rural sustainability with a view toward addressing the optimal carrying capacity of a limited resource base;
(3)to seek to promote an understanding that in the near future some unsustainable practices may have to be tolerated in order to achieve a level of agricultural production that will feed the world;
(4)to seek to encourage the use of alternative fuels over expanded fossil fuel consumption, including renewable energy sources in rural areas of developing countries, and for a transition to renewable energy use in developed countries;
(5)to seek to strengthen international standards regarding the use of pesticides;
(6)to seek recognition that policies and practices of multi-national business corporations are relevant to this topic and that they must be incorporated in discussion; and,
(7)to seek to ensure that this topic does not become equated with Low Input Sustainable Agriculture (LISA) exclusively (LISA could be part of a global sustainable agriculture program but should not be the whole program).
In general, this chapter can be considered a success from Canada's point of view, as all Canadian objectives were met.
2.Non-Governmental Organizations
Given that NGOs are highly critical of the continuation and promotion of the current models of industrial , chemical-intensive agricultural production, NGOs lobbied for research, sharing of information and the promotion of new patterns of agricultural production which are equitable, sustainable and participatory.
Some of the key concerns which NGOs had with Agenda 21 include:
The role of social and community organizations should be given more recognition and support in the documents. Governments and international organizations should recognize that one of their key roles should be to support and encourage "bottom up" change processes.
It was noted that the role of transnational corporations is almost ignored. There should be stated recognition that some policies and practices of multi-national business have a direct negative impact on potential for transition to sustainable development (particularly in agriculture).
International trade in the context of sustainable agriculture must be addressed. For example, the "liberalization of agricultural trade, as proposed by GATT, strengthens the monopoly of the present agro-economic system and uniformity of production systems, thereby undermining local food security systems throughout the world.
3.Business and Industry
Generally, business regards Chapter 14 as representing an opportunity for Canadian industry and science. Specifically, the dissemination of integrated farm management know-how, methods of efficient reduction in use of agricultural chemicals, expertise in reclamation of degraded lands and expertise in plant and genetic resources management are of importance. The pesticide industry supports safe use of pesticides and integrated pest management where feasible but believes education rather than pricing policy is required for implementation.
4.Indigenous
Indigenous Peoples recommend the need for support in establishing Indigenous NGOs, Indigenous knowledge institutions and financial institution. Indigenous rights must be recognized to protect their lands, culture, and language which inevitable will preserve their sustainable economic and environment regimes and their sustainable cultures. The use of indigenous knowledge should be heavily consulted as they pertain to sustainable agriculture such as through more holistically oriented water and soil conservation techniques and agriculture.
COMMITMENTS MADE BY CANADIANS
1.Legally-Binding Documents
Reference should be made to the Convention on Biodiversity to the extent it relates to agriculture.
2.Political Pronouncements
In his address June 12, 1992 at UNCED, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney cited a $170 million program on sustainable agriculture as one of the range of projects that are part of Canada's Green Plan.
3.Alternative NGO Treaties and Kari-Oca
NGO Treaties
At the same time as UNCED, two major international events were also held at Rio: the Global Forum and the Kari-Oca Conference. At the International Non-Governmental Organization Forum (Global Forum), 3,100 NGOs discussed a number of matters related to environment and development and produced a parallel set of documents: an NGO Earth Charter and 38 Alternative NGO Treaties. Canadian NGOs played a significant role in developing the Treaties and took a lead in coordinating their dissemination. Of these treaties, three addressed the issues discussed in Chapter 14.
Sustainable Agriculture Treaty
The NGOs in Rio agreed that it is necessary to break the "predatory model" in agriculture in favour of new patterns of sustainability. These must be equitable and participatory. They must put the control of natural resources and means of production into the hands of the people who work the land. Sustainable agriculture respects ecological principles of diversity and interdependence, producing diverse forms of foods, fibres and medicines. It maintains ecological balance -- including the self sufficiency and stability of rural communities.
Key to attaining this model is the cooperation of peasant, farmer, rural community and social groups in restoring, maintaining and developing sustainable farming systems. International networks can further strengthen and support local ones. Specific actions would then include preservation of genetic resources and biodiversity, and advocating democratic and equitable redistribution of land based on control of the land by workers. Increased agriculture production should aim at improving regional food supplies and alleviating poverty.
Food Security Treaty
The NGOs in Rio agreed that access to safe, high quality food is a basic human right. Instead of relying on international trade and imports, food security should be based on local self reliance. Working together, NGOs in Rio will advocate that food security be a central objective of local and national government, international agencies and trade policies (especially GATT). However, the right to trade in order to supplement national food security should not include over production and export dumping. Intra-regional trade should be encouraged in order to increase diversification. Within our communities we can wok to reduce the distance between producer and consumer. Viable small and family farms and the establishment of buffer stocks of seed and food will increase security, as will promoting the development of transportation, storage and other facilities. Structural adjustment policies which undermine food security should not be supported.
Citizens Commitment on Biodiversity
The Citizen's Commitment on Biodiversity includes the following principles for conservation: that we respect all living things and that our activities cause suffering to none; that the integrity of ecosystems be respected; that the basic structure of genetic resources is not to be depleted; that all members of present and future generations receive socially equal access to the benefits of natural resources; and that indigenous and traditional communities receive recognition and benefit for sharing their knowledge about the uses of their natural resources.
Kari-Oca
The second alternative forum at Rio was the International Conference on Territory, Environment and Development (the Kari-Oca Conference). The Kari-Oca Conference was held immediately prior to UNCED by and for the world's indigenous peoples. More than 650 indigenous representatives participated in meetings and cultural events during the conference, where they also developed and adopted a 109-point Indigenous Peoples Earth Charter.
Within Kari-Oca, indigenous peoples' commitment to sustainable and bioregional agricultural practices is made clear. In the section titled "Lands and Territories" it states, "Indigenous peoples should encourage their peoples to cultivate their own forms of products rather than to use imported exotic crops which do not benefit local peoples." Additionally, in the section titled "Biodiversity and Conservation" it states, "If we are going to grow crops, these crops must feed the people. It is not appropriate that the lands be used to grow crops which do not benefit the local peoples."
DEFICIENCIES, GAPS AND CONSTRAINTS WITHIN CHAPTER 14
The Canadian agricultural sector examined the issues of sustainability in 1990, through a federal-provincial ministerial format. At that time, eight major sustainability issues were identified and agreed upon by the sector. All of these are covered in Chapter 14, with the exception of water quality which has been included under Chapter 18. In addition, air and climate issues are encompassed under the Convention for Climate Change, while genetic diversity issues are incorporated into the Convention on Biodiversity, both conventions have been ratified by Canada. As these identified Canadian issues have been incorporated within Chapter 14, there appear to be no deficiencies, gaps or constraints.
COMPARISON BETWEEN CURRENT CANADIAN GOVERNMENT POLICY AND COMMITMENTS MADE
As noted below, the recommendations in the 1990 report to Ministers of Agriculture have raised awareness of environmental sustainability issues in the Canadian agri-food sector. These recommendations have also influenced the development of Canadian agri-food programs and policies to move the sector towards greater environmental sustainability.
Concurrently, government programs have been designed to specifically address sustainability. For instance, the agricultural component of the Green Plan, which has been effected through cost-shared Federal-Provincial-Territorial Agreement, (ten of which have been signed), and national initiatives, primarily research in nature, address Chapter 14 program areas. Programs include residue management, wildlife and wetland conservation, genetic resources, soil conservation efforts, manure management, green house gases, low level ozone, genetic resources, alternative pest management, and may others directly related to sustainability.
Further, Land Management Assistance Programs, Canadian Agreements on Agri-Food Development, the Great Lakes Action Plan, the Canadian Pesticide Regulatory Regime and on-going research activities are designed to research and implement programs related to sustainable agriculture and rural development.
CANADIAN ACTIVITIES EVOLVING THROUGH THE SUSTAINABILITY PROCESS
Many of the concepts of sustainability reported in this Chapter were incorporated in the June 30, 1990 report to Ministers of Agriculture, Growing Together. The report was initiated by the Federal-Provincial Agriculture Committee on Environmental Sustainability, whose task was "to develop an a action plan to address natural resource base and environmental quality issues facing Canada's agri-food sector". It identified eight main issues for Canada: preservation of soil resources; surface and ground water quality; water quality management; sustainable management of wildlife habitat; air and climate change adaptation; energy efficiency; pollution and waste management; and promoting diversity in genetic resources. To move the agri-food sector in these directions, Growing Together recommended adjustments to agricultural practices, enhanced research and information into best management practices compatible with ecological limits, improved land use planning and management, increased monitoring and data base management, and implementation of policy and program reform to strengthen economic viability and environmental sustainability.
Before and after UNCED, the New Brunswick Environment and Development Working Group, Fallsbrook Centre has been working on the issue of sustainable agriculture focusing on community involvement.
Lethbridge Community College has developed a program in partnership with Alberta Agriculture which offers training in farm business management.
Through its Rural Renewal Program, the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) is examining existing barriers to economic and ecological renewal in rural Canada. By linking sustainable agriculture, sustainable communities, landscape ecology and biological diversity, the NRTEE is examining the revitalization of rural Canada. The study has identified the growing urgency of alternative economic development in rural areas and subsequently the need for diversification which is stressed in Chapter 14. The NRTEE has also given importance to pending international agreements for Canadian agriculture industry and the competitiveness of the agri-food sector.
OTHER RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY-RELATED FORA
Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) Committee for Plant Genetic Resources
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Working Group on Trade and Environment
International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
- Joint Experts Group on Trade and Environment
- Joint Working Party on Agriculture and Environment
United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)
United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Methyl Bromide Technical Options Committee
United Nations Intergovernmental Committee for the Convention on Biological Diversity
United Nations Intergovernmental Panel for the Convention on Climate Change
SUGGESTED READINGS AND INFORMATION SOURCES
Chambers, R. Sustainable Rural Livelihoods: A Strategy for People, Environment and Development, (Sussex, UK: Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, 1987).
Conway, G.R. ad E.G. Barbier. After the Green Revolution: Sustainable Agriculture for Development, (London: Earthscan. 1990).
Crosson, P. "Sustainable agriculture in North America" in Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics, June 30, 1990.
Federal-Provincial Agriculture Committee on Environmental Sustainability. Growing Together. June 30, 1990.
Government of Canada. Canada's Green Plan, (Ottawa: Environment Canada, 1990).
. Canada's Green Plan and the Earth Summit, (Ottawa: Environment Canada, 1992).
. Canada's National Report: United Nations Conference on Environment and Development Brazil, June 1992, (Ottawa: Environment Canada, 1991).
Institute for Research on Environment & Economy (IREE). "Promoting Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development", UNCED, Prep Com IV, Issue 6, (University of Ottawa, February 26, 1992).
International Development Research Centre (IDRC). Agenda 21: Abstracts, Reviews and Commentaries, (Theodora Carroll-Foster, editor), (Ottawa: IDRC, 1993).
Keating, Michael. Agenda for Change: A Plain Language Version of Agenda 21 and the Other Rio Agreements, (Geneva: Centre for Our Common Future, 1993).
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Agricultural and Environmental Policy Integration: Recent Progress and New Directions, (Paris: OECD, 1993).
. "OECD Country Report, Canada, Sustainable Agriculture Workshop, February", (Paris: 1992).
Sopuck, Robert, D. Canada's Agricultural and Trade Policies: Implications for Rural Renewal and Biodiversity, (Ottawa: National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, 1993).
Stabler, J.C. "Rural Development. The issues and problems facing us in the 1990s" in Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics, 38:1990.
Street, Roger and Keith Valentine. Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development: Canadian Objectives, A paper prepared for The Fourth Preparatory Meeting of the UNCED, March 1992.
World Commission on Environment and Development. Our Common Future, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987)
Information Sources:
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), PO Box 1667, Station "B", 60 Queen Street, 4th Floor, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5R5, tel (613) 954-2422, fax (613) 954-0429
Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME), 326 Broadway, Suite 400,
Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 0S5, tel (204) 948-2090, fax (204) 948-2125.
Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), 72 Albert Street, Suite 1101, Ottawa, Ontario,
K1P 5E7, tel (613) 236-3633.
Canadian Fertilizer Institute, 360 Albert Street, Suite 1540, Ottawa, Ontario,
K1R 7X7, tel (613) 230-3600, fax (613) 230-5142.
Department of Agriculture, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0C7, tel (613) 995-8963, fax (613) 996-9564.
Ecological Agricultural Products (EAP), Box 191, MacDonald Campus, Ste-Anne de Belleuve, Quebec, H9X 1C0, tel (514) 398-7771, fax (514) 398-7895.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Via Terme di Caracalla, I-00100 Rome, Italy, tel (39 6) 57971, fax (39 6) 5797-3152.
International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), 161 Portage Ave East, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 0Y4, tel (204) 958-7716, fax (204) 958-7710.
National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE), 1 Nicholas Street, Suite 1500, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 7B7, tel (613) 992-7189, fax (613) 992-7385.
Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration, Room 603, CIBC Tower, 1800 Hamilton Street, Regina, Saskatoon, S4P 4L2, tel (306) 780-5070
Western Economic Diversification Canada, Canada Place, 1500 - 9700 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 4H7, tel (403) 495-4164, fax (403) 495-6876
Cite as: Projet de société: Canada and Agenda 21.Winnipeg: IISD, 1995. Online. Internet. http://iisd.ca/worldsd/canada/projet/c14.htm.
