FAO supports organic agriculture and fights avian influenza

Two prominent FAO experts delivered keynote presentations in Russia, highlighting FAO’s technical expertise and knowledge in such areas as Organic Certification and tackling diseases affecting poultry, in particular the avian influenza.

“FAO has the responsibility to give organic agriculture a legitimate place within sustainable agriculture programmes,” Dr. Viliami T. Fakavā, FAO Plant Production & Protection Officer, underlined in his presentation at the Organic Certification Seminar held in the Southern Russian city of Voronezh, the capital of the Black Soil Region.

“The promising and increasing marketing of Organic Products (OA) in our region provide opportunities to produce and access. FAO wishes to reiterate that “Effective partnership & collaborations among key stakeholders government agencies, NGOs, private sectors, markets, certifying agencies, farmers, education, research institutions, development partners, and donors is crucial for success OA development.”

The FAO expert also familiarized the audience with the current regulations in the European Union regarding permitted substances in organic production. “Any substance used in organic agriculture to fight pests or plant diseases must be pre-approved by the European Commission. Additionally, specific principles guide the approval of external inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, and food additives so that only substances and compounds listed as approved in specific legislation can be used in organic productions,” FAO expert noted.

Organic Agriculture and other agro-ecological systems play a key role in achieving SDG 2 – the highest priority on ending poverty, hunger, and malnutrition through sustainable agriculture development, reminded Dr. Fakavā.

Concurrently, Eran Raizman, FAO Senior Animal Health Officer, briefed colleagues in the Russian city of Suzdal on the dangers coming in diversified forms of Avian Influenza (AI), including a highly pathogenic AI virus that can occasionally infect humans.

The FAO Avian Influenza-related activities embrace all three levels:

National: risk assessment, early detection, reporting and response; surveillance, outbreak investigation, laboratory capacity building, training, policy, legislation, communications, partnerships.

Regional: diagnostic laboratory networks, surveillance networks, biosafety/biosecurity networks, lab quality assurance networks.

Global:  coordination, expert consultation, guiding manuals, control strategies, tools, procurement, stockpiling (reagents, PPE); collaboration FAO influenza reference centres.

“Endemic situation in domestic poultry is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future”, stressed FAO expert. AI is “increasingly identified as one of many other endemic poultry disease.”

It is a multi-dimensional problem, beyond technical approach (holistic all society approach), with farming systems and value chains in need of transformation. It should be recognized that “no country can tackle the disease alone” and that “concerted global action of all players is needed with significant financial and political commitment,” concluded Dr. Raizman.

13-14 February, Voronezh and Suzdal, Russian Federation