Towards the development of a Voluntary Code of Conduct on the sustainable use of plastics in agriculture
The agricultural sector has witnessed a significant increase in the use of plastics, with an estimated 12.5 million tonnes of plastic products being utilized annually in plant and animal production[1]. Plastics have brought about numerous benefits in food production, such as improved crop yield and efficient water use. However, due to improper management and lack of access to adequate end-of-life management and infrastructure, plastic products used in agriculture are often discarded or abandoned in the environment, leading to potential harm to human health and the environment.
In 2021, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) conducted an in-depth assessment[2] that shed light on both the advantages and challenges posed by plastics in agriculture. The study emphasized the importance of striking a balance between the benefits and trade-offs of plastics used in agriculture, and highlighted the urgent need for global action, improved governance, and inter-sectoral collaboration to address the multifaceted issues surrounding plastic use in agrifood systems.
In line with the recommendations of FAO Council[3] FAO is working on the development of the Voluntary Code of Conduct on the sustainable use of plastics in agriculture (VCoC). The aim of the VCoC is to provide a policy framework in support of a sustainable use of plastics in agriculture and their alternatives, by assisting policy makers in creating and strengthening policies and strategies, and by providing the other stakeholders along the agri-food value chain recommendations and best practices.
The VCoC will address the sustainable use of plastics in agriculture in the context of agrifood systems transformation towards more efficiency, inclusivity, resilience, and sustainability. It will aim to better balance the benefits and trade-offs of the use of plastics in agriculture to contribute to food security, food safety, nutrition, human health, environmental sustainability and related dimensions of sustainable development (social, economic and environmental).
The consultation process for the development of the Voluntary Code of Conduct on the sustainable use of plastics in agriculture
To inform the development of the VCoC, FAO is carrying out inclusive and geographically representative consultations with a wide range of stakeholders. The consultation process included an Informal Briefing for FAO Members which took place in May 2023, a Global Expert Meeting held in June 2023, and six Regional Multi-Stakeholder Consultations taking place between September and November 2023.
This Call for submissions has been envisioned as a key component of the consultation process to allow a wide range of participants around a globe and across sectors to contribute their inputs towards the development of the VCoC. This call will remain available throughout the duration of the Regional Consultations, offering participants a chance to extend the discussion on the VCoC development and share their views and suggestions online through the FSN Forum.
FAO's Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) invites stakeholders to share good practices and lessons learned on the sustainable use of plastics and agriculture and their alternatives.
You are welcome to respond to any of the questions in the submission template, as per your interest and expertise. Your responses, alongside the feedback we gather during our ongoing webinar consultations, will help inform the first full draft of the VCoC.
Please use this submission template (available in English) to provide your feedback by answering questions in any of the six UN languages (English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic and Chinese).
To take part in this Call for submissions, please get registered or login to your account on the FSN Forum; download the submission template and upload the completed submission form in the box “Post your contribution” on this webpage. For any technical support regarding downloading or uploading the submission form, please send an email to [email protected].
The Call for Submissions is open until November 7, 2023.
We look forward to receiving your valuable input and learning from your experiences.
Co-Facilitators:
- Lev Neretin, Environment Workstream Lead, Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment, FAO
- Alashiya Gordes, Natural Resources Officer, OCB, FAO
- Marilique Nijmeijer, Associate Professional Officer, OCB, FAO
- Matteo Zandonella Bolco, Programme Management Specialist, OCB, FAO
- Giulia Carcasci, Agricultural Plastics and Sustainability Specialist, OCB, FAO
[1] FAO, 2021. Assessment of agricultural plastics and their sustainability. A call for action. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb7856en
[2] FAO, 2021. Assessment of agricultural plastics and their sustainability. A call for action. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb7856en
[3] FAO, 2022. Report of the Council of FAO. Hundred and Seventy-first Session https://www.fao.org/3/nl148en/nl148en.pdf
- Прочитано 108 комментарии
Dear FAO,
Please find attached EPRO's contribution towards the development of a voluntary code of conduct on the sustainable use of plastics in agriculture. Thank you for the opportunity to feed in to this and please feel welcome to get in touch should you require clarification on any points.
Kind regards,
Carys White
Dear all,
On behalf of the Environmental Investigation Agency, please find attached our submission towards the development of a Voluntary Code of Conduct on the sustainable use of plastics in agriculture. We would be happy to elaborate on our points, please do reach out any time if any clarification is required. We very much look forward to continuing to contribute on the development of the VCoC.
Best regards,
Lauren Weir
Senior Ocean Campaigner
Environmental Investigation Agency, London
Г-н Davy Pouaty Nzembialéla
Monsieur ou Madame, je vous transmets, ci-joint, la contribution de l'ADACO relative à l'objet ci-dessus cité.
Cordialement.
Davy Pouaty Nzembialela
Dear FAO,
Please find enclosed the ICL Group contribution to your call for submission "towards the development of a voluntary code of conduct on the sustainable use of plastics in agriculture".
Best regards,
Nicolas Willaume
Dear FAO,
Attached is Minderoo Foundation's contribution to your call for submission "towards the development of a voluntary code of conduct on the sustainable use of plastics in agriculture".
Kind regards,
Dr Manuel Brunner
Wish my feedback helps, thanks.
Kind regards,
Winnie
Hello, I send this e-mail for deliver this format about the Annual Global Commitment progress report 2023.
Thanks
Adrián Isaías Diosdado Zapatero
I have provided my feedback and mentioned what is relevant to the best of my knowledge. Hopefully, it will greatly add to our knowledge on use of plastics, particularly in context to their usage in agriculture sector of Pakistan.
The Vinyl Institute (United States) appreciates the opportunity to submit comments on the development of a Voluntary Code of Conduct (VCoC). Our comments are attached for review.
With sincere gratitude,
Domenic DeCaria
Vice President - Regulatory and Technical Affairs
Supporting the development of a VCoC for sustainable plastics use in agriculture; look forward to seeing the draft VCoC.
Claire Dyason
В настоящее время это мероприятие закрыто. Пожалуйста, свяжитесь с [email protected] для получения любой дополнительной информации.