In this week's Farmer's Weekly there is a report that a Professor Crute says that farmers must stop squabbling over whether organic farming or conventional agriculture (why do we call it conventional?) is most environmentally friendly. Professor Crute says 'The notion that this is a case of organic farming good, conventional farming bad, doesn't really get us anywhere.'.
I'm not so sure - I'd like to know the answer!
I'd totally agree that all types of farming can make further contributions to wildlife conservation, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving water quality - but if organic farming really is as good as its keenest proponents claim then shouldn't we be investing more in it? The evidence is clear that organic farming is generally (that means - on average) better for farmland birds than 'conventional' farming but is it also far kinder to the planet's climate because it produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions and stores more carbon in soils? I can imagine that it might be, but am not sure that it definitely is. Let's find out.
Oh yes Mark organic farming is undoubtedly better for wildlife,the environment etc but would only feed half the number of people and there are already enough people starving around the world.I really hope that with research productivity from Organic could be increased.Of course going back to horse transport would do even more good so now hope you promote that and just think of the wildlife saved by cars etc not killing them.
Sooty - hi! I'm not sure it's that simple either! How many people can be fed by organic farming depends on what they eat - a move to eating less meat would certainly help. Have just been watching a programme on BBC2 which points out that about a third of UK food is thrown away - fixing that would help too! And just as with energy use - how about simply eating less?
And if we are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% how will agriculture do its share if it remains addicted to inorganic fertiliser use?
Some very tricky issues here. I certainly don't know the answers - but I have a feeling that I may know some of the right questions to ask!
best wishes (you are a very welcome commentator)
M
Yes Mark you definitely know the right questions,I think this less meat business is one of these complete red herrings as I know you can think up reasons to justify anything but to grow crops without inorganic fertiliser we would need all the manure we can get from animals.Probably the least carbon footprint is left by such as reindeer herders who only eat meat.I go along with the easy one from you of a third thrown away,that must be disgraceful so the question is should we have ration books as I can promise you when everybody had ration books waste was practically zero.The fact is each generation abuses the earths resources much more than the previous one and it definitely cannot carry on but individuals feel helpless.What a pity that the world as a unit can't agree on lots of measures that would help a lot such as no more wars or terrorism and suchlike.