Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) Berlin 2010

”Agriculture and Climate Change- New Concept Proposals from Policymakers and Industry”

 

Dear Minister Aigner, Dear Colleguaes,

Many thanks for the invitation and thanks to Germany for organising this summit.

First of all, I would recommend this forum for providing a great opportunity to discuss how to meet the climate and food security challenge.
 
In my view, the main instrument for global food security is the national food production. Every country has an obligation to provide food for its own population. Trade alone can not solve the fundamental challenges regarding the rising hunger. In the future we have to use all land resources to produce food. 

The related challenge of food insecurity and climate challenge requires us to produce more food in a sustainable and climate friendly way. 

The Norwegian Government has recently presented a White Paper on Climate change and the linkage to Agriculture and Food production, entitled “Agriculture – a part of the solution”.

Among the range of measures addressed in the paper, I would like to highlight five key areas:  

Firstly, the topsoil is one of the most important carbon sinks on earth. Soil resources must be managed in such a way that carbon sinks are not reduced.

Secondly, greater use can be made of forest resources as a climate policy instrument with a view to increase uptake of CO2.

Thirdly, there is great potential for delivering renewable energy based on biomass- timber and agricultural waste of biogas, including sound overall solutions for handling organic waste and animal manure.

Fourthly, with climate change there is an increased risk of new pests and new plant and animal diseases. The government will strengthen monitoring and make provisions for targeted research in this field.

My last point is biodiversity:

In the last century alone, more than 75 % of all known food crops have disappeared forever. We are now dangerously reliant on only a few varieties of rice, potatoes, maize, wheat and other staple foods.

The International Plant Treaty directly addresses food security and adaptation to climate change.

The Plant Treaty encourages farmers, breeders and researchers around the world to use and conserve the remaining plant genetic resources. This ensures we are equipped to face the serious issue of food security brought about by climate change.

The Treaty is fully operational and this year the fund has invested in eleven global projects.  I will invite you all to participate in the funding of the benefit sharing fund, to address the growing challenges caused by the reduction of plant genetic resources.

Thank you