New Zealand has joined other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) members signing a declaration that hopes to boost sustainable agriculture and food systems, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said today in Paris.
The Declaration on transformative solutions for sustainable agriculture and food systems’ was adopted at the OECD committee for agriculture on November 4. The meeting was co-chaired by O’Connor and Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau.
“The OECD committee for agriculture is an important forum where New Zealand is helping lead a vital transition to sustainable agriculture,” O’Connor said.
“The declaration will see OECD countries identify opportunities and challenges facing food production and share ways to tackle them.
“It includes ensuring food security and nutrition for a growing global population, along with addressing environmental challenges in an inclusive manner.
“With adverse events becoming more frequent, unpredictable and severe, we know as a group that to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss, farmers and growers need to be supported to boost their resilience.”
O’Connor said that importantly, the declaration containsed a strong endorsement of the rules-based multilateral trading system, which is critical for New Zealand’s economic success.
“Our exports benefit from us being regarded as one of the most efficient food producers. The steps we’re taking to reduce climate impacts from production are world-leading and will also deepen our credentials with high-value consumers.
“That effort includes introducing a system to incentivise reductions of methane and nitrous oxide at the farm-level.”
O’Connor said the declaration also commits to addressing several priority areas to achieve the economy-wide goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. These include reducing agricultural emissions, increasing carbon sequestration, and reducing food loss and waste.
The ‘Declaration on transformative solutions for sustainable agriculture and food systems’ can be read here.
