FAO AND DUTCH AGRICULTURE MINISTRY ORGANIZE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MULTIFUNCTIONAL FARMING

Press Release
SAG/55

FAO AND DUTCH AGRICULTURE MINISTRY ORGANIZE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MULTIFUNCTIONAL FARMING

ROME, 10 September (FAO) -- The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries are organising a conference from 12-17 September entitled, “Cultivating Our Futures”, focusing on the multifunctional character of agriculture and land. More than 350 experts from all over the world will be attending the conference in the MECC conference centre in Maastricht. The conference will be chaired by J.G.M. Alders, Queen's Commissioner for the Province of Groningen.

The aim of the conference is to review experiences with sustainable agriculture and integrated land management at all levels. Recommendations and policy options will also be formulated which will serve as the input for a discussion at the political level during the eighth meeting of the United Nations Commission for Sustainable Development in 2000. This Commission monitors the implementation of Agenda 21, the action plan that emerged from the United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development (UNCED) which was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The agreements concerning the implementation of the action plan initiated at the World Food Summit in Rome (1996) will also serve as a key framework for the discussions in Maastricht.

Sustainable agriculture was initially seen mainly as a means of food production in which adverse effects on nature and the environment are avoided as far as possible. Today, the multifunctional character of agriculture is becoming the central element in the thinking on sustainable agriculture. This means that farming not only contributes to the food supply and to farmers' incomes, but also to the health and diversity of plants and animals, cleaner and safer water and air, more fertile land, combating poverty and the stability of the rural community.

Participation at the conference is by invitation only. All Member States of the United Nations have been asked to send two delegates, in addition to which United Nations organizations, other intergovernmental and international non- governmental organisations (NGOs) have been invited. Those not able to attend the conference in person can follow the proceedings on the Internet and contribute via e-mail.

More information can be obtained from the Internet site: http://www.fao.org/mfcal

Inquiries should be directed to: FAO Media-Office ( John Riddle, 0039-06-5705 3259, Liliane Kambirigi, 0039-06-5705 3223, Liliane.Kambirigi@FAO.Org; Erwin Northoff, 0039-06-5705 3105; e-mail: .

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