R E S O L U T I O N

On interaction of the Union of European Agricultural Academies members in solving present matters related to environment protection in agro-ecosystems and promotion of the research development, technological and innovation cooperation among all relevant agricultural institutions from European countries

Adopted by the scientific Meeting of the Union of European Agricultural Academies, May 17, 2007, Yalta, Crimea, Ukraine

The representatives from Belarus National Academy of Sciences (NASB), Bulgarian National Centre of Agricultural Sciences (NCSA), Latvian Academy of Sciences (LAS) & Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences (LAAFS), Lithuanian Academy of Sciences (LiAS), Moldavian Academy of Sciences (ASM), Romanian Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences (AAFS), Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences (RAAS), Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry (KSLA), Ukrainian Academy of Agricultural Sciences (UAAS), participants at Yalta Scientific Conference organized by The Union of European Agricultural Academies (UEAA), acknowledging the importance of international scientific cooperation for sustainable economic and social development of the society, in harmony with the environment, without threats to the future generations,  

Having discussed as main issues

1. the environment constraints in agro-ecosystems in the context of the global climatic changes;
2. the ways for a better utilization of natural resources in agricultural production;
3. the need for conservation of soil resources and its fertility for the future generations;
4. the need for a better environment protection in agro-ecosystems;
5. the protection of water resources and its quality;
6. the conservation of genetic resources and biodiversity in agro-ecosystems.

Confirming our adherence to

1. the principles set forth in the resolutions of the World Sustainable Development Summit (Johannesburg, 2002);
2. the Ministerial Conference «The Environment for Europe» (Kyiv, 2003);
3. the World Environment Commission’s Concept of Sustainable Development declared at the 1992 World Summit in Rio de Janeiro;
4. the FAO report to the Committee of Agriculture (Roma, 2007);
5. all relevant European Commission documents regarding to agriculture and environment protection.

Acknowledging

1. the deterioration of environment conditions in some of our countries in the context of the new climatic changes;
2. the intensification  of the soil degradation process;
3. the aggravation of problems concerning foods manufacture, safe to human health, which reclaim a serious need of modifying the present farming strategy, involving more research and policy adequate contributions.

Pointing out that

1. the further intensive chemification of farming scientifically ungrounded is ecologically unsafe;
2. the new context of climate changes intensifies the present threats of European agriculture and needs more attention on agricultural research by international cooperation.

 

We emphasize that

1. we face now with a real need for a new eco-bio-farming approach in accordance with the good agricultural practices principles, aiming at effective environment protection in agro-ecosystems;
2. it is important to ensure safe influence on soil and crops for both environment and human health.

Based on the discussions, we call upon our partners and undertake ourselves:

• to develop international cooperation in the environment protection area;
• to take all measures for valorizing the achievements of agricultural and biological sciences in order to harmonize farm production processes with the environment;
• to consider organic farming as a promising way for the present agriculture development, able to provide sustainable production of agricultural commodities, rational utilization of natural resources and protection of environment against pollution;
• to take into consideration the market economy weak points related to sustainable development of agriculture and to correct them accordingly;
• to develop economic mechanisms, taking into account the costs of natural resources;
• to render assistance in agricultural scientific activities devoted to matters of joint interest;
• to facilitate dissemination of knowledge, new technologies and innovations towards users, aimed at sustainable development of the agricultural sector;
• to coordinate, within every partner’s competence and authorities, the implementation of international environmental programs;
• to offer EU organisms and other interested bodies the UEAA members expertise in ecologic audit matters;
• to generate a unitary position in the food production and resource saving areas to be set forth to relevant authorities at European level;
• to establish a corporate network for information exchange, informative provision of agricultural institutions and remote education;
• to expand the use of mass media facilities for dissemination of knowledge, especially agro-environmentally related, by special TV and radio broadcasting and relevant publications;
• to develop programs for specialists’ training and fellowships, using UEAA members’ research facilities.