b'looking at an ambitious, globalthe report says. The reduc- It currently takes us up to advantage of what alreadytions in the EU would translate11 years for any crop protec-exists and functions well into a worldwide decrease inFARM-TO-FORKtion substance to arrive on terms of multilateral instru- output by 1%. In the UnitedGOALS BY 2030: the market, and pests and ments and processes. States, production of certaindiseases are not waiting.That, in itself, he says iscommodities could increaseInnovation in both the part of the importance of thebut would be almost entirely55%reduction ofgermplasm and crop pro-Green Deal: maintaining andoffset by reduced productionnet greenhouse gastection areas is going to be cultivating biodiversity, notin other commodities, withemissions. necessary to develop more only in the EU, but globally.less than 0.5% total agricul- efficient pathways to market Without biodiversity, theresture growth. The same effect50%reduction offor more sustainable and pro-underplanted material forwould occur in the middlepesticide use on crops,ductive products. food production, food securityscenario, in which U.S. agricul- fruits and vegetables.and sustainable agriculture tural production would gener- Finding the Perfect Fit something both FAO and theally remain flat. In the scenarioMoving ForwardGreen Deal are working onof global adoption of the EUs50%reduction inWith the signing of the Green correcting. input-reducing strategies,nutrient losses.Deal and Farm-to-Fork strate-The Green Deal doesntworldwide food and agri- gies, now its time to find out look at biodiversity in isola- cultural production volumes20%reduction ofhow businesses and organiza-tion, he says, but its linkedcould fall as much as 11%. Thefertilizer use. tions fit into the puzzle. That both to climate issues relatedUnited States could witness aincludes finding out how the to climate change, but alsodecrease in food and agricul- Green Deal and climate-smart food security and sustainabletural output of 9% under this25%of EUspolicies fit into the global agri-agriculture. scenario. agricultural land beculture puzzle as well.While the Green Deal allowsThe immediate problemdesignated as organic.Moving forward, the goal companies and organizationsLaux sees is due to the win- for Syngenta is the same goal to expand upon messagesdows for the targets about thefarmers have: finding some-they were already focusing on,reduction of crop protectionthing that allows them to there are some unintended orand fertilizer use.imperative to look at theachieve. unanticipated consequencesThere are various impactfood system as a whole. ThatFarmers really want some-recent studies have found fromassessments available that saymeans looking at practicalthing thats achievable, Laux the Green Deal.we expect lower yields, highersolutions taking to accountsays. Meaning the targets The USDA ERS, in theirfood prices and fewer oppor- reality in food production need to be realistic, and they report evaluating a globaltunities to export produce,for the EU, instead of com- need to have the right tools to Green Deal, found results thatLaux says. We certainlyplaining about the Greenachieve those targets. At the showed not only a fall in pro- cannot trade good outcomeDeal, its time to look at howend of the day, they have a duction, but also a decrease inintentions with such problem- companies can use it. livelihood.agriculture growth.atic consequences.How can we use theIn that aspect, theres room Under the scenario withInstead of trading targetsGreen Deal framework tofor improvement.the EU alone adopting theof productivity for environ- accelerate innovation andWe believe that some of measures, EU agriculturalmental goals, Laux says itsbring sustainable solutionsthe targets being set are not production would fall 12%,becoming more and moreto farmers faster? she asks.aligned yet with what actually OCTOBER 2022SEEDWORLD.COM /63'