rt. The global political change of course in energy, climate and transport policies in recent years shows that it is possible in just a few months to re-set political coordinates, draw up implementation plans and for getting huge investments off the road for achieving a new aim. Prerequisite for this is a political will.
The compilation of Gotthard Frick is helpful in classifying the problems of Swiss agriculture into the global context. How will the world develop and what consequences will this have for our agriculture? The current agricultural policy does not give the impression that it is designed for the long-term needs of the population. It is even said that it only serves to save taxpayers’ money and to hold out in negotiations with the EU, the WTO or TTIP as a bargaining chip for any concessions in other economic sectors (finance, pharmaceuticals, etc.).
In 2008, the World Agricultural Report (International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development IAASTD) caused a great deal of media attention. This report, written by more than 400 authors from 86 countries on a broad scientific basis within the UN and the World Bank, states that it is possible to feed the world’s population through mainly regional, small-scale and family farming, without continuing to cause harm to the environment (<link www.weltagrarbericht.de>www.weltagrarbericht.de).
The authors of the report make clear that it is a mistake to believe that the problems of global food security and unemployment can only be solved through industrialized agriculture. Especially the Third World countries are suffering from the consequences of the “First World’s” globalized and industrialized agriculture. Also for the population in the so-called First World, the dependence on foreign, partly overseas, industrially and genetically modified food is no longer an option. Food sovereignty must once again become a worthwhile aim of agricultural policy of the states. A political course correction is still pending. The World Agriculture Report shows feasible options for doing so. •
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