Brussels, Belgium
25 October 2010

EU Environment Commissioner, Janez Potočnik, has warned a scientific gathering in Brussels that decision-makers soon to be negotiating the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nagoya, Japan have to act now, and globally, to reverse the trend of biodiversity loss.

“We don't really have a choice about whether to act or not. We lost the luxury of choice a long time ago”, the Commissioner said.

In a video message introducing a scientific discussion panel, as part of the CropLife International Biodiversity World Tour, the Commissioner stressed the dependence of food production on a foundation of biodiversity. “Food and agriculture do not exist in a vacuum”, Potočnik underlined. “Both depend on biodiversity for the fertile soils and the varieties of plant and animal resources it provides”.

CropLife International, the plant science industry federation, hosted the Brussels event together with the European biotechnology association, EuropaBio and the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) as part of a series of three ‘Town Hall’ debates on different continents, examining global priorities for biodiversity preservation.

Howard Minigh, President and CEO of Croplife International, stressed that there is no choice between the twin goals of food security and biodiversity preservation. Both must be met together in the light of an increasing world population and climate change.

“Improving yields on existing land can help preserve vital ecosystems; while incorporating integrated pest management practice into mainstream farming can improve both pollination and protection”, Minigh said, while calling upon all stakeholders to invest in concerted and collaborative innovation.

The Town Hall-style debate which followed was marked by challenging questions from the in-house and online audience. Panelists were Prof. Harald von Witzke, Humboldt University Berlin; Prof. Tim Benton, University of Leeds; Prof. Agnes W. Mwang’ombe, University of Nairobi; and Dr. Shardul Agrawala, Senior Economist at the OECD.

The discussion continues at Nagoya, Japan where another expert panel specialized in policy development will conclude the CropLife International Biodiversity World Tour on October 27.

To see the webcast of the debate please visit: http://arjuna.rcms.rambla.be/webinar/26260

Website: http://www.croplife.org

Published: October 25, 2010