'Agriculture is part of the solution in fighting climate change', said newly elected Chairwoman Liisa Pietola of the Copa-Cogeca's Environment Working Party.
Speaking in Brussels, Liisa Pietola, an active farmer and wood producer with a PhD in soil science from the Finnish Farm Organisation MTK, underlined the importance of farmers as part of the solution in helping to mitigate, and adapt to climate change, especially through the storage of carbon in soil organic matter which improves productivity.
Farmers and forest owners make a big contribution to a low-carbon and bio-based economy and this needs to be recognised”
She pointed out that crops and forests in particular remove carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere.
The carbon in biomass is also not accounted for when harvested, she said. Livestock production is also an integral part of European farming.
Grass, crop and livestock production work together with nature and technology to improve efficiency and soil productivity and consequently reduce nitrous oxide (N20) and methane (CH4) emissions.
"Carbon sequestration also has great potential. It is important that farmers use good soil management practices to enhance soil fertility and adapt and mitigate climate change at the same time as ensuring food security.
"By cutting down on intensive tillage for example, soil health will be improved a lot, getting organic matter up and increasing microbiological activity.
"Proper water management including both water supply and drainage are also vital", she pointed out.
Wrapping up, she underlined that rural development programmesinclude many examples of good practices, showing economic, social and environmental sustainability.
"Farmers and forest owners are good stewards of nature and biodiversity and we must work together with nature."
Diane Mitchell from the UK National Farmers Union (NFU) and MrNiels Peter Norringfrom the Danish Farm and Food Organisation were also elected as vice-chairs of the Working Party on the Environment.
