The “Grenelle de l’Environnement” Consultation Process
The producers’ voice must be heard
9/28/2007
The reports by the “Grenelle de l’Environnement” working groups which were released yesterday leave scope for different directions to be taken in agriculture.
ORAMA has called on grain and oil and protein-seed producers to respond in large numbers and take part in the local and electronic (*) consultation phase that has now begun. Their opinions as farming and food professionals must be heard on issues such as the reduction of nonpoint source pollution and the use of plant protection products. Their practices have developed over the last decade, showing that changes can be made in this area in a pragmatic way, taking into account the need to increase harvests and have farms achieve financial balance.
It may be feasible to make further reductions in the use of plant protection products and nitrogen fertilizer, but this has to be done in a rational way on the farms and has to be worked out in technical institutes and laboratories. It cannot be imposed as a compulsory ruling in response to opinion polls.
The “Grenelle de l’Environnement” Consultation Process
The producers’ voice must be heard