National Farmers’ Union delegates, led by deputy president Meurig Raymond, visited Italy this week to take part in major international talks on farming.
The meeting in Rome, organised as part of the Italian presidency of the G8 group of industrialised nations, debated the role of agriculture in a deteriorating global economy and how farming should be enhanced in the context of international sustainable development.
Raymond delivered a powerful message about the need for major industrialised governments to rethink the role of farming from being a peripheral part of the economy to one that is central to economic, social and environmental development.
“Agriculture is more central than ever to the world economy, not just because food becomes more important in times of recession, but the food crisis of 2008 bears witness to some major demographic and production issues we need to face up to. Governments must embrace and champion productive agriculture or world food security will not be assured.
“And with the effects of climate change and water stress more evident, science-based solutions will have to allow farming and growing worldwide to produce more while impacting less on the environment,” added Raymond.
The organisations attending the summit will also sign a joint declaration that calls for policies that focus on greater investment in agriculture in order to meet the demands of a growing population, while ensuring that farmers have the tools to mitigate climate change and contribute to renewable energy.
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