Towards the development of a Voluntary Code of Conduct on the sustainable use of plastics in agriculture
The agricultural sector has witnessed a significant increase in the use of plastics, with an estimated 12.5 million tonnes of plastic products being utilized annually in plant and animal production[1]. Plastics have brought about numerous benefits in food production, such as improved crop yield and efficient water use. However, due to improper management and lack of access to adequate end-of-life management and infrastructure, plastic products used in agriculture are often discarded or abandoned in the environment, leading to potential harm to human health and the environment.
In 2021, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) conducted an in-depth assessment[2] that shed light on both the advantages and challenges posed by plastics in agriculture. The study emphasized the importance of striking a balance between the benefits and trade-offs of plastics used in agriculture, and highlighted the urgent need for global action, improved governance, and inter-sectoral collaboration to address the multifaceted issues surrounding plastic use in agrifood systems.
In line with the recommendations of FAO Council[3] FAO is working on the development of the Voluntary Code of Conduct on the sustainable use of plastics in agriculture (VCoC). The aim of the VCoC is to provide a policy framework in support of a sustainable use of plastics in agriculture and their alternatives, by assisting policy makers in creating and strengthening policies and strategies, and by providing the other stakeholders along the agri-food value chain recommendations and best practices.
The VCoC will address the sustainable use of plastics in agriculture in the context of agrifood systems transformation towards more efficiency, inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability. It will aim to better balance the benefits and trade-offs of the use of plastics in agriculture to contribute to food security, food safety, nutrition, human health, environmental sustainability and related dimensions of sustainable development (social, economic and environmental).
The consultation process for the development of the Voluntary Code of Conduct on the sustainable use of plastics in agriculture
To inform the development of the VCoC, FAO is carrying out inclusive and geographically representative consultations with a wide range of stakeholders. The consultation process included an Informal Briefing for FAO Members which took place in May 2023, a Global Expert Meeting held in June 2023, and six Regional Multi-Stakeholder Consultations taking place between September and November 2023.
This Call for submissions has been envisioned as a key component of the consultation process to allow a wide range of participants around a globe and across sectors to contribute their inputs towards the development of the VCoC. This call will remain available throughout the duration of the Regional Consultations, offering participants a chance to extend the discussion on the VCoC development and share their views and suggestions online through the FSN Forum.
FAO's Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) invites stakeholders to share good practices and lessons learned on the sustainable use of plastics and agriculture and their alternatives.
You are welcome to respond to any of the questions in the submission template, as per your interest and expertise. Your responses, alongside the feedback we gather during our ongoing webinar consultations, will help inform the first full draft of the VCoC.
Please use this submission template (available in English) to provide your feedback by answering questions in any of the six UN languages (English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic and Chinese).
To take part in this Call for submissions, please get registered or login to your account on the FSN Forum; download the submission template and upload the completed submission form in the box “Post your contribution” on this webpage. For any technical support regarding downloading or uploading the submission form, please send an email to [email protected].
The Call for Submissions is open until November 7, 2023.
We look forward to receiving your valuable input and learning from your experiences.
Co-Facilitators:
- Lev Neretin, Environment Workstream Lead, Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, FAO
- Alashiya Gordes, Natural Resources Officer, OCB, FAO
- Marilique Nijmeijer, Associate Professional Officer, OCB, FAO
- Matteo Zandonella Bolco, Programme Management Specialist, OCB, FAO
- Giulia Carcasci, Agricultural Plastics and Sustainability Specialist, OCB, FAO
[1] FAO, 2021. Assessment of agricultural plastics and their sustainability. A call for action. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb7856en
[2] FAO, 2021. Assessment of agricultural plastics and their sustainability. A call for action. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb7856en
[3] FAO, 2022. Report of the Council of FAO. Hundred and Seventy-first Session https://www.fao.org/3/nl148en/nl148en.pdf
- Read 108 contributions
Dear Sir/Madam,
Please find my attached contribution for your consideration.
Thank you.
Isaac
Dear FSN Forum,
Kindly receive the submission attached herein from South Sudan.
Thank you,
Tito Awen,
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security,
Republic of South Sudan.
See attached submission. Can be summarized in four bullet points:
- Implement EPR for all ag plastics
- Implement bans on open burning of ag plastics and enforce those bans
- Implement strong anti-illegal dumping and littering laws for ag plastics and enforce the laws
- Promote 'design for end of life' of ag plastics that will eliminate problematic plastics and make them more recyclable.
Attached is my contribution to the ongoing call for contributions on the “Voluntary Code of Conduct for Sustainable Plastics in Agriculture”.
Sincerely
Jean Eudes Beugré, Nangui Abrogoua University, Ivory Coast
Dear All,
Good day!
When microplastics enter the soil ecosystem, they can persist for long periods, accumulating over time. Here are a few ways in which microplastics can impact soil health:
- Nutrient Availability: Microplastics can impede nutrient cycling in soil. Their presence can affect the physical structure of the soil, reducing pore space and limiting the diffusion of water and nutrients. This can lead to a decrease in microbial activity, which plays a vital role in breaking down organic matter and releasing nutrients for plant uptake.
- Soil Structure and Aggregation: Microplastics can disrupt soil structure and aggregation, which are important for soil fertility and water retention. They can act as physical barriers, preventing the formation of stable soil aggregates. This can result in reduced soil aeration, water infiltration, and root penetration, ultimately affecting plant growth and productivity.
- Contamination of Soil and Water: Microplastics can also act as carriers for other contaminants. They have the ability to adsorb and accumulate heavy metals, pesticides, and other toxic substances. As a result, the presence of microplastics in soil can contribute to the contamination of both soil and water resources, posing risks to ecosystems and potentially entering the food chain.
- Microbial Community: Microplastics can negatively impact soil microbial communities, which are essential for nutrient cycling and maintaining soil health. Studies have shown that microplastics can alter the composition and diversity of soil microbial communities, potentially affecting their functional roles and disrupting the delicate balance of the soil ecosystem.
Educating society about the danger of plastic/microplastic pollution is essential for sustainable land management. Recently we organised one Webinar on Soil vs. Plastics, as part of World Food Day celebration that helped the audience better understand the emerging problem of microplastic pollution in soil as well as possible solutions, recording of which may be found in the following link:
Soil vs. Plastics webinar recording (Click Here)
And the report can be found in following link:
With warm regards,
Pradip Dey
On behalf of U.S. Departments of Agriculture and State, I have attached our contributions to the Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Sustainable Use of Plastics in Agriculture.
Cheers,
Paul Welcher
International Relations Advisor
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The use of plastics plays a very crucial role in agriculture sector in our society. The voluntary code for the use therefore, there has to promote sustainability rules in terms of reduce, reuse and recycle. In agriculture for instance large use parts of the plastics waste is dump in farms and contribute negatively to the soil fertility which is detrimental to the food system.
Therefore, the VCoC should be formulated in such a away that it's flexible in implementation and prohibits mishandling and misuse of plastics. This can be enforced through public education and capacity building by various states ministries of Agriculture, Environment, private sectors and higher education institutions.
Kiplangat CHERUIYOT
Ecosystem & Social Economic Development Organization, Kenya
I have attached a file as my contribution to alternative and microplastic section.
Dear Svetlana,
Attached my contribution to the ongoing Call for submissions on the "Voluntary Code of Conduct for Sustainable Plastics in Agriculture."
Best regards
Demetres Briassoulis, Prof. em. Demetres Briassoulis
AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS,
AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
GREECE
I have attached my contribution for the development of VCoC on the use of plastics in agriculture.
This activity is now closed. Please contact [email protected] for any further information.