Farming and food production are important for human health, and at the same time health issues have important consequences on farming. Consumer choice can be influenced through recommendations of public health authorities and labelling requirements which consequently impacts the demand for farm products. Farming practises, such as animal welfare, use of veterinary drugs and pesticides are also discussed and regulated within international organisations. Policies promoting adherence to specific standards and guidelines have to take into account the impact of these recommendations on agricultural producers worldwide. IFAP therefore works closely with international organisations in this area.
Health Ministers must talk to Farmers . Press release. 22 January 2004. Potential Impact on Consumption, Production and Trade of Selected Food Products. IFAP Study from the University of Reading (UK). November 2003. Farm Leader. Press release. 17 June 2003. 
The development of a farmer driven agenda for agricultural research is essential to influence research priorities at national, regional and global levels. IFAP has addressed the linkages between farmer-extension-researcher, and obstacles that hinder such linkages. Due to the importance of research in modernising agriculture, IFAP is building Agricultural Research and Development activities and policies that take into account the needs of family farmers around the world. Documents:
(available soon)
extension (1995) Follow up research activities taking place in your region!
Education is essential for strengthening family farmers and their organisations. Training programmes should target farmers for all aspects of their involvement in society with a special focus on young farmers and women farmers. Farmers’ capacities in business management, in leadership and in applying technologies, among others, must be strong enough to meet the future challenges of the agricultural sector, particularly in developing countries. Farmers should be involved in existing training programmes and professional exchanges. This working area being a new IFAP activity, documents will be available in the future.
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WHO - World Health Organization
ESFIM - Empowering Smallholder Farmers in Markets Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) CGIAR - Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research GFAR - Global Forum on Agricultural Research
Institute UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 
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IFAP Policy Group on food labelling