FAO statement at World Environment Day 2023 celebration from New York - Solutions to plastic pollution

As prepared for delivery

Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Today’s event touches on a topic of high relevance and importance to FAO.

We know that plastics are widely used in agriculture, serving different purposes and needs. The benefits are clear and several.

They help reduce water and pesticide use, food loss and waste, and they increase yields and efficiency.

Plastic-based fishing gear is also tough and durable in harsh aquatic environments.

Together, crop and livestock production and the forestry and fisheries sectors account for an estimated 12.5 million tonnes of plastic annually.

Food packaging adds another 37 million tonnes of plastics per year.

Despite their benefits, agricultural plastics also pose threats to ecosystems, food security, food safety, and human and planetary health.

This is because most plastics are single-use and they remain in the environment for a very long time after serving their intended purpose.

In many parts of the world, agricultural plastics are not appropriately collected, recycled, or disposed of.

This leads to an accumulation of plastic and microplastic pollution in agricultural soils, which can make their way into our food.

We need to take urgent action. This is why, based on a recommendation by its Committee on Agriculture, FAO has begun a consultation process on a new Voluntary Code of Conduct on the sustainable use of plastics in agriculture.

This process will support deliberations of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on the United Nations Environment Assembly Resolution to “End plastic pollution: Towards an international legally binding instrument”.

It supports Members, especially in addressing knowledge gaps around the use of plastics in agriculture.

We aim to ensure that the new legally binding instrument on plastic pollution considers both the benefits and the trade-offs of agricultural plastics.

FAO already released an assessment report in 2021 to identify ways to improve the circularity and management of agricultural plastics based on a “6Rs” model –  refuse, redesign, reduce, reuse, recycle and recover.

This model promotes a holistic, circular and evidence-based approach to plastics and microplastics, with an emphasis on upstream measures, such as avoidance and reduction, particularly when it comes to single-use plastics.

It includes substituting plastic products with natural or biodegradable and compostable alternatives. The 6R model also establishes fiscal measures and incentives to drive behavioral change along the supply chain.

FAO is also pursuing bioeconomy innovations to tackle existing plastic pollution problems, in addition to addressing the presence of microplastics in agricultural soils, which can come from the degradation of larger plastic items.

Several studies have already confirmed the ability of microorganisms and plants to remove micro and nanoplastics from soil or water.

Innovative upstream and downstream measures can reduce the environmental and human health implications of an unsustainable use of plastics in agriculture.

All of this forms part of a wider, crosscutting effort to transform our agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, to guarantee better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for all, leaving no one behind.

As we celebrate this World Environment Day, let us continue working hand-in-hand to find innovative solutions for healthy ecosystems and prosperous communities.

Finally, I would take this opportunity to express sincere appreciation to UNEP and the government of Cote D’Ivoire for organizing this World Environment Day celebration.

Thank you.