Achieving Sustainable Agriculture is Vital to Meeting Future Challenges, Demands a Multidisciplinary Approach

Brussels (ots/PRNewswire) -

Effectively addressing the challenges of delivering sustainable
agriculture demands a multidisciplinary approach which integrates
social, environmental, economic and R&D dimensions, according to a
new study presented in Brussels today by the Barilla Center for Food
& Nutrition (BCFN).

Paolo De Castro, MEP, Chairman of the European Parliament's
Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development, commented on key
findings from the study at an open debate in the European Parliament,
organised on behalf of the BCFN.

Speaking to representatives from European institutions, business
and civil society, Mr. De Castro said; "We face a wide range of
challenges; market instability and food price volatility, demographic
growth, change in diets and lifestyles, environment and climate
change. We are in a scenario where food will become more and more
scarce, and will be increasingly expensive for everybody.

He continued; "We cannot hide from these challenges; we need to
meet them head-on, by investing in research that will deliver
solutions and finding new models to transfer innovation. This is a
global problem that demands a global approach, which delivers a
coordinated, comprehensive food security policy. The forthcoming CAP
reform provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate how a
sustainable approach to agriculture can contribute to providing
answers to this challenge."

Commenting on the findings of the study, Hans Herren, President
of the Millennium Institute and member of the Advisory Board of the
BCFN, said: "CAP reform can allow Europe to help define the standards
for sustainability in agriculture. It is an opportunity to show
leadership in effectively tackling a problem which will affect us
all."

The full study The future of agriculture: Toward sustainable
agricultural models will be presented on 30 November and 1 December
at the third BCFN Forum in the Bocconi University, Milan.

Note to Editors

The Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition is a multidisciplinary
think tank focusing on issues of food and nutrition and their
relations to economics, medicine, diet, sociology and the
environment. The work of the Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition is
backed by an authoritative Advisory Board composed of Barbara
Buchner, Director of the Climate Policy Initiative in Venice, Mario
Monti and John M. Reilly, economists, Gabriele Riccardi,
endocrinologist, Camillo Ricordi, surgeon and scientist, Claude
Fischler, sociologist and Umberto Veronesi, oncologist.

You may watch the event at http://www.barillacfn.com

ots Originaltext: Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
For additional information: Barilla - Giuseppe Coccon - Tel.
+39-0521-2621 - info@barillacfn.com - http://www.barillacfn.it; APCO
Worldwide - Marie van Raemdonck - Tel. +32-2-645-98-11 -
mvanraemdonck@apcoworldwide.com