Developments in promoting agricultural plastic alternatives and sustainable practices
December 12th, 2024: FAO reaffirmed its commitment to tackling the challenges of plastic pollution in agriculture during the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument (ILBI) on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-5), which concluded on December 1, 2024 in Busan.
FAO developed the Voluntary Code of Conduct on the sustainable use of plastics in agriculture (VCoC) in line with the recommendations of FAO Council[3] and continues advocating for the inclusion of the agrifood sector in these global discussions on plastic pollution but an agreement has yet to be reached.
FAO believes in the importance and recognition of sector-specific approaches and internationally agreed rules, standards, and recommended practices and procedures on the use of plastics in agriculture, including those developed by FAO and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) within the ILBI. This aligns with the emphasis in the INC-5 Chair paper, which highlights the role of sectoral strategies in addressing plastic pollution.
Sector-specific technical support and guidance applied to the food and agriculture sector may address issues related to plastic products and chemicals of concern, sustainable product design, alternatives and non-plastic substitutes, emissions and releases, and waste management, among others.
Alternatives to conventional plastics
On November 28, 2024, during INC-5, FAO hosted a side event titled “Innovative solutions for improving the sustainability of plastics used in agriculture”. The session brought together policy makers and global experts, private sector, and UN partners to discuss alternatives to conventional plastics used in agriculture and fisheries and aquaculture, including biodegradable and biobased solutions.
“The Code of Conduct elaborates practical and flexible measures covering the entire life cycle of plastic products used in agricultural production. We see it appropriate that countries refer to this Code of Conduct in shaping and implementing national policies, with a view to promoting the proper use and management of plastics in the agricultural sector”. Mr Hiroyuki Nishiura, Deputy Director General for the International Affairs Bureau of Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), delivered welcoming remarks, emphasizing Japan’s commitment to promoting sustainable materials in agriculture and supporting the FAO Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Sustainable Use and Management of Plastics in Agriculture (VCoC).
He further remarked: “The possible employment of necessary sectoral approaches, in regulating plastic products under the international legally binding instrument, is now discussed in the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee. In this context, we expect that the FAO’s Code of Conduct will be used as a basis for such a sectoral approach to be applied to the agricultural sector.”
Mr. Andrew Stephens, Senior Policy Advisor with the Foreign Agricultural Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, reinforced these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration and the importance of the FAO’s work on plastics used in agriculture and the proposed Voluntary Code of Conduct.
During the event panelists shared valuable insights, highlighting notable examples of innovations in biodegradable fishing gear, the role of international trade in plastics, and challenges of developing holistic regulatory frameworks supporting sustainable plastics.
Global momentum on on sustainable use and management of plastics in agriculture At the twenty-ninth session of the FAO’s Committee on Agriculture (COAG 29), held in Rome in September 2024, Member States welcomed FAO’s work on plastics in agriculture. They appreciated the proposed VCoC and recommended continuing its development, including after the adoption of a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution, for further consideration and endorsement at a future Council Session.
Members acknowledged the possibility of countries using the VCoC in the meantime, should they wish to do so, and invited FAO to support Members by providing technical assistance on the sustainable use of plastics in agriculture, upon request (C 2025/21).
FAO’s work also draws on findings from its latest reports:
A short overview of regulatory and market-based instruments for the management of plastics used in agriculture
These reports offer valuable insights into stakeholder perspectives on the use of plastics in agriculture, as well as the regulatory and market-based instruments available to national governments.
As negotiations on a global treaty continue, FAO remains committed to advocating for comprehensive solutions that prioritize sustainability, innovation, and global cooperation to address the sustainable use and management of plastics in agriculture.
Developments in promoting agricultural plastic alternatives and sustainable practices
December 12th, 2024: FAO reaffirmed its commitment to tackling the challenges of plastic pollution in agriculture during the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument (ILBI) on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-5), which concluded on December 1, 2024 in Busan.
FAO developed the Voluntary Code of Conduct on the sustainable use of plastics in agriculture (VCoC) in line with the recommendations of FAO Council[3] and continues advocating for the inclusion of the agrifood sector in these global discussions on plastic pollution but an agreement has yet to be reached.
FAO believes in the importance and recognition of sector-specific approaches and internationally agreed rules, standards, and recommended practices and procedures on the use of plastics in agriculture, including those developed by FAO and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) within the ILBI. This aligns with the emphasis in the INC-5 Chair paper, which highlights the role of sectoral strategies in addressing plastic pollution.
Sector-specific technical support and guidance applied to the food and agriculture sector may address issues related to plastic products and chemicals of concern, sustainable product design, alternatives and non-plastic substitutes, emissions and releases, and waste management, among others.
Alternatives to conventional plastics
On November 28, 2024, during INC-5, FAO hosted a side event titled “Innovative solutions for improving the sustainability of plastics used in agriculture”. The session brought together policy makers and global experts, private sector, and UN partners to discuss alternatives to conventional plastics used in agriculture and fisheries and aquaculture, including biodegradable and biobased solutions.
“The Code of Conduct elaborates practical and flexible measures covering the entire life cycle of plastic products used in agricultural production. We see it appropriate that countries refer to this Code of Conduct in shaping and implementing national policies, with a view to promoting the proper use and management of plastics in the agricultural sector”. Mr Hiroyuki Nishiura, Deputy Director General for the International Affairs Bureau of Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), delivered welcoming remarks, emphasizing Japan’s commitment to promoting sustainable materials in agriculture and supporting the FAO Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Sustainable Use and Management of Plastics in Agriculture (VCoC).
He further remarked: “The possible employment of necessary sectoral approaches, in regulating plastic products under the international legally binding instrument, is now discussed in the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee. In this context, we expect that the FAO’s Code of Conduct will be used as a basis for such a sectoral approach to be applied to the agricultural sector.”
Mr. Andrew Stephens, Senior Policy Advisor with the Foreign Agricultural Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, reinforced these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration and the importance of the FAO’s work on plastics used in agriculture and the proposed Voluntary Code of Conduct.
During the event panelists shared valuable insights, highlighting notable examples of innovations in biodegradable fishing gear, the role of international trade in plastics, and challenges of developing holistic regulatory frameworks supporting sustainable plastics.
Global momentum on on sustainable use and management of plastics in agriculture
At the twenty-ninth session of the FAO’s Committee on Agriculture (COAG 29), held in Rome in September 2024, Member States welcomed FAO’s work on plastics in agriculture. They appreciated the proposed VCoC and recommended continuing its development, including after the adoption of a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution, for further consideration and endorsement at a future Council Session.
Members acknowledged the possibility of countries using the VCoC in the meantime, should they wish to do so, and invited FAO to support Members by providing technical assistance on the sustainable use of plastics in agriculture, upon request (C 2025/21).
FAO’s work also draws on findings from its latest reports:
A short overview of regulatory and market-based instruments for the management of plastics used in agriculture
These reports offer valuable insights into stakeholder perspectives on the use of plastics in agriculture, as well as the regulatory and market-based instruments available to national governments.
As negotiations on a global treaty continue, FAO remains committed to advocating for comprehensive solutions that prioritize sustainability, innovation, and global cooperation to address the sustainable use and management of plastics in agriculture.