Achieving Sustainable Agriculture is Vital to Meeting Future Challenges, Demands a Multidisciplinary Approach

BRUSSELS, October 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Effectively addressing the challenges of delivering sustainable agriculture demands a multidisciplinary approach which integrates social, environmental, economic and R&D dimensions, according to a new study presented in Brussels today by the Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition (BCFN).

Paolo De Castro, MEP, Chairman of the European Parliament's Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development, commented on key findings from the study at an open debate in the European Parliament, organised on behalf of the BCFN.

Speaking to representatives from European institutions, business and civil society, Mr. De Castro said; "We face a wide range of challenges; market instability and food price volatility, demographic growth, change in diets and lifestyles, environment and climate change. We are in a scenario where food will become more and more scarce, and will be increasingly expensive for everybody.

He continued; "We cannot hide from these challenges; we need to meet them head-on, by investing in research that will deliver solutions and finding new models to transfer innovation. This is a global problem that demands a global approach, which delivers a coordinated, comprehensive food security policy. The forthcoming CAP reform provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate how a sustainable approach to agriculture can contribute to providing answers to this challenge."

Commenting on the findings of the study, Hans Herren, President of the Millennium Institute and member of the Advisory Board of the BCFN, said: "CAP reform can allow Europe to help define the standards for sustainability in agriculture. It is an opportunity to show leadership in effectively tackling a problem which will affect us all."

The full study The future of agriculture: Toward sustainable agricultural models will be presented on 30 November and 1 December at the third BCFN Forum in the Bocconi University, Milan.

Note to Editors

The Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition is a multidisciplinary think tank focusing on issues of food and nutrition and their relations to economics, medicine, diet, sociology and the environment. The work of the Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition is backed by an authoritative Advisory Board composed of Barbara Buchner, Director of the Climate Policy Initiative in Venice, Mario Monti and John M. Reilly, economists, Gabriele Riccardi, endocrinologist, Camillo Ricordi, surgeon and scientist, Claude Fischler, sociologist  and Umberto Veronesi, oncologist.

You may watch the event at http://www.barillacfn.com