Networks for researchers
Researchers' support for Swedish food-production chain
From plough to plate
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FOOD21.pdf |
THE PROBLEM
Existing systems of food production in Sweden are not sustainable in the long term. To be able to lay claim to sustainability, agriculture must be able to combine tough requirements for environmental concerns (including not expending nor impoverishing non-renewable natural resources), product quality, financial considerations and ethically acceptable production methods. Food is to be produced from healthy crops and animals in a good environment, where biodiversity is preserved but with farms still being profitable.
HOW CAN THE PROGRAMME CONTRIBUTE TO A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM?
FOOD 21 takes a holistic view of the whole food supply chain, from the farmer to the consumer, regarding the requirements for environmental concerns and resource management (maintaining and improving the productive capacity of the arable land, minimising the impact on surface and groundwater), animal welfare, product quality, ethically acceptable production methods and good profitability for every farmer. The research shall provide answers to questions on: · how Swedish agriculture will satisfy the requirements for long-term sustainability, · how an already well-advanced "greening" process is progressing, · what is required for high product quality in sustainable systems, · what the optimum conditions are for sustainable production, · what steers the consumer's choice of food products, and · what is required to ensure the participation of farmers in the process.
WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THE RESULTS?
Agriculture and its trade organisations. The food industry and the food trade. Central, regional and local authorities responsible for the agriculture sector. Consumers.