Stewardship of Natural Resources England, Wales, Ireland, Australia, America, Canada

Natural Resources

• • • • Land Management, growing and spreading population – soil health – more integration with environment, under utilised land Water – reduction in availability, (salinity in Aus) – In America tussle between ag & industry Fossil Fuels – A finite resource Green House Gases – Intense livestock areas

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John Ikerd

Promoting sustainable farming, felt industrial ag was not sustainable “Ag uses 40% of land, 70-75% of water, 25-30% of green house gases” Increase soil sustainability – Good measures being taken from no till in large parts of Aus and US, south america – Time pressures, increased horse power, damage, more soil erosion Water Sustainability • Quantity Renewable energy sources There can be a balance between highly productive and sustainable industrial ag

USA 25x25 Programme

• 2004 5% energy consumed renewable • Use americas farms to produce 25% of US Energy from renewable sources by 2025 • Positive step in terms of wind, solar and hydro created, bringing US into line with other countries with current initiatives • Question viability and sustainability of biofuels

A few ‘hows’...

• Water – Mitigate legislation by education of both urban and rural users for quantity and quality – Allow market forces to provide a truer value for water “a shower tax” • Soil, continue to measure our soils – Reduction in tillage – “the history of every nation is written in the way it cares for its soils” Roosevelt

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A few ‘hows’...

Land – – Improve land use planning Create a balance between environmental schemes and sustainable farming by voluntary initiatives rather than legislation • Fossil Fuels – – Countries fuel secure down to local levels Low carbon footprint food from local food initiatives – Pay a truer price for fuels = drive efficiency and improved commodity price (as 2008)

Positioning Statement

• Farmers will continue to lead the way in achieving the optimum balance of productivity and sustainability for the future of the world through technical innovation and continuous adaptation of farming practices ...

the right honourable Rowan Paulet