The future of agriculture in a sustainable rural development
This event in Madrid continued to reflect the many themes previously discussed in Brussels and consequently produced further engaging debates. Various ELO speakers presented their views about the challenge of feeding the planet in a sustainable way, whilst ensuring that European society benefits from adequate rural development. Other speakers detailed the fundamental need for modern technologies in food production and the protection of the environment, furthermore explaining the consequences of the new EU Crop Protection legislation and regulation for Spanish agriculture.
Overall, there was a common understanding that feeding the world should mean maximising production on available cultivated land and only ploughing extra hectares when truly necessary. Therefore, in order to achieve food self sufficiency, the use of modern technologies such as machinery, fertilisers, crop protection, GMOs, and even IT must be further developed and optimised. All participants agreed that in this strategic fight against hunger, Europe has to keep a high level of food production to properly contribute to world supplies. Most of the participants felt that this can be done within a harmonious rural
development without harming natural habitats. However, it was also stressed that farmers should be compensated for their provision of ‘public goods’ to society
Agenda
May 13, 2009
Registration & Reception
Introduction
Welcoming by Juan José GUZMÁN,
Industry Director of Madrid Chamber of Commerce
Introduction by the Chair
Vicente SANCHEZ DE SANCHEZ-VALDEPEÑAS, President of GEA
Science and Technology in Agriculture
Bernard GRACIET, Head Syngenta Brussels Office
New Technologies
Food & Environmental Security: Research Point of View (tbc)
Hans-Jörg LUTZEYER, EC DG Research
CAP 2013- 2020
Corrado PIRZIO-BIROLI, CEO of Rise Foundation
Coffee break
Territory Management Plans on Nature Network in the future
Thierry de l’ESCAILLE, Secretary General of ELO
A plan for a better agriculture
Sergio DEDOMINICI, General Manager Syngenta-Agro Spain
Agriculture and Livestock Farming in the rural areas of the Madrid Community
Federico RAMOS DE ARMAS, General Director of Environment,
Community of Madrid
Conclusions
Luis Peiró, President
Chamber of Commerce Environment Commission
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