Copa-Cogeca urges heads of state to agree on a text which recognises the important contribution farmers can make to sustainable development through environmentally sound production practices which enhance food security and the livelihood of the poor and ensure sustained economic growth.

In view of growing world food demand and limited resources, Copa-Cogeca wants to see a committed outcome to the Rio+ Conference which sets the path towards a green economy, in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication and considers green growth as the way to using resources more efficiently without reducing profitability or production capacity.

It leads to improved food security, eradicating hunger, while conserving land, water, biodiversity and ecosystems, and enhancing resilience to climate change and natural disasters. Enhancing agricultural research, extension services, training and education to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability through the voluntary sharing of knowledge and good practices is key to this.

Copa-Cogeca believes that fostering Sustainable Development and incorporating in a balanced way all of its three dimensions – economic, social and environmental - and their inter-linkages could support green growth. We also urge heads of state to acknowledge the major role of cooperatives and microenterprises in contributing to social inclusion and poverty reduction, especially in developing countries.

Wrapping up, Copa-Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen stressed: “With over a billion people in the world in hunger and world demand for food on the rise and resources under increasing pressure, there is only one answer if we are to meet these challenge: that is green growth.

"Farmers have never looked at things solely from a production point of view, with no regard to the impact on resources or on the environment. Biodiversity is of the utmost importance to us. But equally, with food demand rising, we can no longer afford to look at things from a purely environmental point of view – with no concern about the impact on production capacity and food security."