Agricultural research institutions should, wherever feasible, use radioisotopes and radiation techniques to develop new, safer and more efficient management practices; ● this applies particularly to the application of fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation water and to the biological control of pests. Response: 38. The Advisory Committee concurs. 39. Governments should develop and facilitate information exchange and transfer of experience in agriculture within an ecological framework. The transfer of information and experience in agriculture should be based upon similar ecological conditions, especially climate and soil. Within this framework, relevant and selected information should be made readily available to potential users (e.g. planners, extension services, farmers) in a form easily understandable and applicable, on: soils, their characteristics, capabilities, and limitations for different uses • genetic resources, their requirements, potential resistance to pests and other adverse factors agricultural practices most suitable for both increased production and minimum environmental damage, particularly soil conservation practices and integrated pest control techniques most appropriate methods of agricultural waste disposal and recycling under local conditions. 40. Governments should introduce environmental considerations into their programmes of agricultural education and training. More emphasis should be placed on the creation of an understanding of: • the vital role of agriculture for man's welfare and for the maintenance of environmental quality the environmental problems related to specific management practices, particularly those related to soil conservation and pest control ⚫ the limits to the carrying capacities of natural resources under particular farming or grazing conditions. These considerations should be introduced at all levels of training and education. 41. Governments should introduce an institutional and legislative framework which accounts for the environmental dimensions of agricultural development. Soil and agricultural institutions should be directed to consider the ecosystem as an operative unit in the management of air, soil, plant, and water resources; land settlement, agrarian reforms, and land consolidation should recognize local diversities of soil and climate. the extension and intensification of agriculture should be modified accordingly. Land use capabilities should serve as a basis for land zoning, land use legislation, licensing and regulations; measures should be designed to respond to degradation resulting from misuse of croplands, misuse of agricultural inputs, and from the careless disposal of agricultural wastes. Response: 39-41. The Advisory Committee concurs. 42. Governments should consider the needs to provide incentives and assistance to farmers and agro-industries. Measures could include, depending on a given country's social and economic system, credit, better marketing facilities, tax reduction or exemptions, and subsidies in cash or in kind. Such measures would induce or enable recipients to undertake necessary actions to prevent or correct environmental degradation of general public interest caused by their activities. Examples would include soil conservation, use of more selective pesticides, and recycling of wastes. 43 Governments should establish or strengthen national programmes of conservation of soil resources. According to local conditions and requirements, these programmes may place emphasis on one or more of the following areas: rain fed crop lands, particularly dry farmed areas • irrigated lands with salinization, alkali and waterlogging hazards erosion along rural roads and highways grazing lands, particularly in arid areas • wind erosion, stabilization of sand dunes watershed protection and afforestation marginal lands, i.e. those areas falling between lands where intensive agricultural production is feasible and those unfit for agriculture and requiring protection. The programme should be integrated with the actions proposed earlier on base line surveys, research, assessment of land capabilities, assistance to land use planning authorities, development of ecologically stable agricultural systems, soil conservation legislation, extension work and assistance to farmers; as such, it will go well beyond the mere promotion of soil conservation, erosion control practices, and land improvement works. A number of specific measures might possibly be employed: erosion might be controlled through the use of various forms of mulches, primarily in the form of crop residues; engineering and agronomic techniques to stabilize the soil and lessen the erosive force of wind and water; control of fires; overgrazing, and deforestation; reseeding; and terracing salinity and alkalinity control might employ knowledge of a plant's salt tolerance, the salinity of water used for irrigation, and the soil characteristics for adequate irrigation and leaching ● the leaching and depletion of soils particularly in the tropics might be reduced through controlling the intensity of agricultural use, by providing fallow periods, by introducing horticulture or pasturage instead of shortcycle crops or by the use of appropriate fertilizers. Particular attention should be given in erosion control programmes to reducing sediment delivery to streams, reservoirs, dams and other water bodies in order to control physical, chemical and biological effects of these sediments on water quality and aquatic resources. A special fund for the conservation of national soil resources may be needed to provide the necessary focus and means of action. National soil institutions should be strengthened by reinforcing the soil conservation services and establishing, where needed, special units for land evaluation. 44. Governments should consider the possibilities of recycling agricultural wastes. To the extent practicable and safe, animal or organic agro-industrial and municipal wastes could be used as fertilizers. Likewise, crop residues could be used for composts or as animal feed. In either case, the wastes or residues could be distributed to improve the structure and fertility of the soil. attention must be paid to guard against contamination of the soil resource and the spread of infectious diseases. Wherever not feasible, these wastes should be collected, treated and disposed of under controlled conditions in order to: minimize pollution, contamination, fire and other hazards • maintain the attractiveness and salubrity of rural lands and streams. 45. Governments should institute or reinforce national programmes to regulate the use of pesticides and other biocides and to develop integrated pest control. Basic research is required on the fate and effects of pesticide residues in the environment and on their toxicity to man and other species. Because of the recognized toxicity, persistence, and mobility of pesticides, particular care should be given to their efficient use. Varieties and breeds more resistant to pests and diseases should be developed. The hazards of pests and diseases should be evaluated before the introduction of new crops, breeds, or management practices. Pesticides which are more selective and do not leave harmful persistent residues should be developed. The introduction of new pesticides should be controlled by appropriate regulatory measures for testing, registration, labelling, marketing and utilization. Biological pest control techniques such as the use of sterile male viruses pathogenic to insects, introduction of prey species and others should be developed and promoted with careful consideration for their possible environmental consequences. Farmers should be trained in the safe use of pesticides and in integrated pest control techniques, including such management practices as proper selection; dosage, and timing and waste disposal techniques. Bodily damage to users might thereby be minimized. Response: 42–45. The Advisory Committee concurs. (iii) Recommendations for International Action 46. It is recommended that FAO, in cooperation with other international agencies concerned, strengthen the necessary machinery for international acquisition of knowledge and transfer of experience on soi! capabilities, degradation, and conservation. Cooperative information exchange should be facilitated among those nations sharing similar soils, climate and agricultural conditions; the Soil Map of the World being prepared by FAO, UNESCO and ISSS should serve to indicate those areas among which transfer of knowledge on soil potentialities and soil degradation would be most valuable ● this map should be supplemented by establishing international criteria and methods for the assessment of soil capabilities and degradations and by collecting additional data based upon these methods and criteria this should enable the preparation of a World Map of Soil Degradation Hazards as a framework for information exchange in this area. information exchange on soil use should account for similarities in vegetation and other environmental conditions as well as those of soil, climate, and agricultural practices. the FAO Soil Data Processing System should be developed beyond soil productivity considerations to include the above data and relevant environmental parameters; ⚫ to facilitate information exchange between national soil institutions, and eventually soil monitoring stations. International cooperative research on soil capabilities and conservation should be strengthened and broadened to include: basic research on soil degradation processes in selected ecosystems under the auspices of the Man and Biosphere Programme applied research on soil and water conservation practices under specific land use conditions with the assistance of FAO and, where appropriate, other agencies (UNESCO, WHO, IAEA) research on using suitable soils for waste disposal and recycling UNIDO, FAO, and WHO should enter into joint consultations regarding the feasibility of an international programme in this area. These efforts for international cooperation in research and information exchange on soils should be closely associated with those of the UNDP-WMO-FAOUNESCO programme of agricultural bio-meteorology, in order to facilitate integration of data and practical findings and support national programmes of conservation of soil resources recommended above. 47. It is recommended that government, FAO and WHO, in cooperation with UNESCO and IAEA, strengthen and coordinate international programmes for integrated pest control and reduction of the harmful effects of agro-chemicals. Existing international activities for the exchange of information and cooperative research and technical assistance to developing countries should be strengthened to support national programmes described above, with particular reference to: basic research on ecological effects of pesticides and fertilizers (MAB) use of radio-isotope and radiation techniques in studying the fate of pesticides in the environment (joint IAEA/FAO Division) ⚫ dose and timing of fertilizers' application and their effects on soil productivity and the environment (FAO) management practices and techniques for integrated pest control, including biological control (FAO/WHO) establishment or strengthening of national and regional centres for integrated pest control, particularly in developing countries (FAO/WHO). Existing expert committees of FAO and WHO on various aspects of pest control should be periodically convened to: assess recent advances in the relevant fields of research mentioned above • review and further develop international guidelines and standards with special reference to chlorinated hydrocarbons, pesticides containing heavymetals, and the use of biological controls. In addition, ad hoc panels of experts should be convened, by FAO, WHO and, where appropriate, IAEA, in order to study specific problems, and facilitate the work of the above committees. 48. It is recommended that FAO under its programme "War on Waste" place increased emphasis on control and recycling of wastes in agriculture to: This programme should assist national activities recommended above relating control technology and recycling of crop residues and animal wastes control and recycling of agro-industrial waste • use of municipal wastes as fertilizers. Response: 46–48. The Advisory Committee concurs and urges that the programme be through a high-level U.N. agency.5 B. Forests (i) Considerations For Action (omitted) (ii) Recommendations for National Action It is recommended that national governments give consideration to the following proposals: 62. Governments should undertake both basic and applied research for improved forest planning and management. Considerable knowledge already exists, particularly as relates to forest ecosystems and management in the temperate zones, that should be collected, evaluated, and applied where practicable. General research needs, particularly in the tropical and subtropical areas, relate to: the functioning of “natural” and man-made forest ecosystems the mechanisms responsible for favourable or unfavourable influences of forest and forestry on other natural resources and on the environment the qualitative and quantitative effects of these mechanisms ●● both genetic and economic considerations require development. Research priorities in the tropics should be assigned according to the functions which require further knowledge; • Immediate supplies of timber represent man's primary need, and vast tropical forest areas require management scientific knowledge of the life histories and growth requirements of trees and forests, upon which forest management is based, is largely lacking in the tropics. Research is needed on such processes as ecological succession, energy conversion and nutrient cycling before adequate management systems can be devised or their effects predicted research on the identification and potential uses of tropical timber trees must still take place in many cases, as must further study on the strength, density, chemical and other properties of such timber ● soil and water of tropical forest lands, causing problems after forest removal that are intensified by high temperatures and heavy precipitation, must be studied for prediction, correction and prevention 5 See ch. 6, Advisory Committee Recommendation 1. |