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 all,
compostable plastics can play a crucial role in the sustainable use of plastics in agriculture.
Please find our contribution attached.
Dear Lev, Giulia, Matteo, Marilique, and Alashiya,
Please find attached the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture's contributions to the FAO call for submission "Towards the Development of a Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Sustainable Use of Plastics in Agriculture."
We appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the development of a Voluntary Code of Conduct.
Margarita Velandia
Professor
Agricultural & Resource Economics
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
2621 Morgan Cir. 314 C Morgan Hall
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996
8659747409 Office
[email protected]
Dear everyone,
Please find attached the contribution forthe ERDE initiative - the German national collection scheme for agri-plastics.
Thank you for the opportunity to contribute.
Managing Director, ERDE
Dear all,
There is a need for increased cooperation in the value chain to deal with some of the challenges, especially in waste management.
Waste management in many countries and regions is still set up in a linear mindset, if already existing, where a growing world population and consequently a further growing pressure on availability on resources, with increased pressure on wildlife and nature will need a change of mindset.
We all will need to treat our 'waste' streams in a more sustainable way. Implementation of existing and proven technologies combined with additional innovation and new technologies need strategic decision making both in public and private sectors
With a world population heading to 10 billion! humans, availability of food, safety of food, and a fight against preventable food losses are among the priorities. Plastics will continue to have a key role to play.
Our key priorities are decarbonization, climate change and circularity and all three can go hand-in-hand
Closing landfills and stepping away from incineration as first waste management option will make more materials available for circularity. allow implementation of high-quality infrastructure and will at the same time decrease littering
We are open for strategic dialogues with key stakeholders
Bernard
The attached written submission has Indigenous Peoples' perspectives on plastics in agriculture. Actually, Indigenous Peoples don't use of plastics in agriculture. The agricultural practices and productions of the Indigenous Peoples are plastics' free and no use of chemicials and pesticides. The Indigenous agricultural practices are completely environment friendly that are protecting the biodiversity, ecosystem and nature along with human health and living creatures.
Dear colleagues,
Please find attached the contribution of the Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) of FAO to the call of submission.
Many thanks for the opportunity to contribute to the process.
Kind regards,
NSP Office of Director
The European Living Lakes Association (ELLA) underlines in its position paper the increasing contamination by micro plastics of the lakes in Europe as well as lakes worldwide.
Further information and recommendations see in the attached submission.
Assobioplastiche supports the development of a Voluntary Code of Conduct on the sustainable use of plastics in agriculture.
Please find here WBA's Submission for the VCoC Plastics in Agriculture
Dear All,
Thank you for this opportunity. On behalf of the East West Seed International and East West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation, please find attached our submission for the VCoC. I hope this contributes to the development of the code of conduct on sustainable use of plastics in agriculture.
Looking forward to the developed code of conduct.
Best Regards,
Lysette Lacambra
This activity is now closed. Please contact [email protected] for any further information.