Food and farming re-think needed to avoid crisis
Date: 27-Oct-2008
'Business as usual' is no longer an option for Victorian farming and food, as a rapidly changing climate, increasingly expensive oil, and declining land and river health threaten to undo the state's impressive productivity and prosperity.
A new report released today by the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) – Paddock to Plate: Food, Farming & Victoria’s Progress to Sustainability – finds we must re-think not just the way we produce food, but also the way it is hauled, stored, processed and consumed if we are to avoid a serious food crisis.
“Consumers are already feeling the pressure of escalating petrol and food prices, and with climate change looming, if don’t change direction the strain on hip pockets and our environment will only intensify,” says ACF’s Rural Landscapes Campaigner, Corey Watts.
“The good news is that we can turn crisis into opportunity and position the state as a world leader in premium foods with trusted clean, green credentials – bringing greater returns to farmers, health dividends, innovation, new exports and new regional jobs.”
“The State Government has a special responsibility to make change possible, and to make sure progress isn’t disjointed or piecemeal anymore. Clear direction and commitment is needed from the Premier on down,” Mr Watts said.
Key findings of Paddock to Plate include:
- Over-reliance on fossils fuels is leaving Victorians vulnerable to rapidly rising food and farm input prices, as well as adding to our carbon pollution load. Victoria is set to be among those regions worst affected by a rapidly changing climate.
- Historically, farming is the single biggest cause of environmental degradation, and despite many landholders’ good efforts via programs like Landcare, Victoria’s landscapes and rivers are amongst the most stressed in the country. But farmers could be key to restoring a healthy environment.
- Food is directly responsible for nearly a quarter of household carbon pollution and about half of our water use. Responsibility cannot be left to fall on our farmers alone. Agribusinesses, supermarkets, transport companies, retailers, restaurants, shareholders and ultimately, consumers must all show greater leadership.