A more dignified treatment for workers and greater protection for the environment are two of the goals for the future of sustainable agriculture around the world. They are also part of a new international certification that aims to be a step forward.
Brazilian executive director of the Sustainable Agriculture Network (RAS) André de Freitas declared that the new certification created by this non-governmental organization is very ambitious but it is the path they must follow.
RAS was founded in 1997 and it has its headquarters in Mexico. It is a coalition of conservationist, non-profit organizations from Africa, Europe and Asia that promote environmental and social sustainability of agricultural activities through the development of good practices, certification and training to farmers around the world.
RAS’ new rule, which will come into force in July, 2017 to give time to the farms to catch it up, is designed to benefit the environment, workers, pollinators and it intends to strengthen the climate-smart agriculture. The rule wants farmers to meet the conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in relation to decent work, minimum wage, and access to basic necessities for workers such as drinking water and health.
It also guarantees freedom of association for workers and it prohibits discriminatory treatment, forced labor and child labor, among other things.
As for the climate-smart agriculture, the goal is to increase farms’ production with greater ability to adapt to climate changes and to reduce greenhouse gases.
The rule also contains specific obligations for not cutting down forests, not to use genetically-modified organisms and to prohibit the use of certain types of pesticides that may harm the environment, particularly pollinators, essential part of agriculture.
The executive director of RAS recognized that pesticides are part of agriculture, but farmers must make an effort in order not to use the ones that harm the enviroment and apply more natural methods to control pests.
The new rule identifies 150 pesticides banned by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture (FAO) and 170 products that pose a risk to pollinators.
The rule is quite ambitious and we think it is the future of sustainable agriculture. We made a very conscious decision to have an ambitious rule. Sustainability is the way and the most common thing is to focus on critical issues and approach them little by little,
stated de Freitas.