UN Commission on Sustainable Developement (CSD-15)

New York, 30 April- 11 May 2007

OPENING SESSION

FARMERS GROUP STATEMENT

by Ms. Maria Christina Pacheco

Mr. Chair,

My name is Maria Christina Pacheco. I am a cane grower from Brazil and my organisation is a member of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP).

 

1 -  RECOGNISE

FARMERS expect CSD to fully recognise renewable energies from agricultural and forestry sources (food and non food) as a viable alternative source of energy. Renewable energies represent an opportunity to increase farmers’ income, to revive rural communities, bringing jobs and wealth, fighting poverty in rural area.  Of course, farmers are well aware that the development of renewable energies has to be done in a sustainable way.

 

FARMERS should become producers of bio-energies and not just providers of cheap raw materials to energy companies.  We, as FARMERS have to be key players in the entire value chain from production to distribution. Therefore, our participation as a stakeholder is key and must be facilitated to ensure improvements of our income and to avoid all benefits going to large bio-energy industries.

 

2 GOVERNMENT’S ACTION

In order to achieve this, government must:

- Establish policies and regulations on bio-energy that reflect the needs of farmers and farming communities. In particular, these policies should address the special needs of small-scale farmers in both developed and developing countries, but bio-energy can provide growth opportunities for both types of economies.

 

- Create enabling environments and management models in the form of support and incentive mechanisms to reduce production costs for farmers while stimulating environmentally-friendly practices. These must promoted to facilitate and support farmer’s investment in production of bio-energies.  These enabling tools should include support mechanisms such as: tax incentives to encourage investment, incentives for processing facilities, clear quality standards, and direct marketing mechanisms of bio-energy consumers.

 

3 PRIORITIES FOR FARMERS

FARMERS are asking governments to include three priorities in their policies.

 

1- Measures to make sustainable energy technologies cost competitive

2- Access to the necessary investment capital

3- Measures to minimize risks

 

FARMERS calls on governments to support the research community in developing cost-efficient production systems using local crops and under-utilised species for bio-energy production.

 

4 POLICY REFORMS TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE  

Bio-energy is linked to the question of climate change, and climate change is also a critical issue for farmers. FARMERS are calling upon national governments to initiate policy reforms to ensure that the creation of carbon credits established by a change of agricultural practices be attributed and paid to the farmer. This would provide farmers with an alternative source of income while promoting good agricultural practices.

 

Also, internalizing climate vulnerability into agricultural policies is necessary.  Establishing a clear national strategy and budgeting predicted financial losses incurred by climatic events that will impact on food security are needed. Foresight into farmers needs by consulting with them will facilitate implementation of remedial programs.

 

Finally, Mr. Chair,  

FARMERS are willing to build innovative partnerships with all stakeholders including national governments for the development of sustainable sources of energy and for mitigating and adapting to the adverse effects of climate change. Farmers have the potential to overcome this challenge. We look forward to coming up with an action oriented negotiating text where all stakeholders, including FARMERS, are fully recognised as key and equal partners.

Thank you for your attention.