Icc is urging governments to make major investments in agriculture

to increase productivity while enhancing biodiversity.

As the search intensifies for ways to

tame soaring food prices, the

International Chamber of Commerce is

urging COP-9 negotiators to consider

multiple solutions as the most effective

way to spread sustainable agricultural

practices needed to feed a growing

world population.

“A one-size-fits-all solution does not exist, but there are many effective

strategies and they must be supported and replicated to become part of

the agricultural mainstream,” said ICC Secretary General Guy Sebban.

“Business and industry are contributing their expertise at COP-9 to

address the challenges of agriculture and biodiversity,” he added.

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To that end, ICC is urging governments to make major investments in

agriculture to increase productivity while enhancing biodiversity on

farms, and where necessary, to put in place an institutional framework

that supports business engagement and investment in sustainable

agricultural technologies and practices.

“Governments need to provide support mechanisms, including

payments for ecosystem services and for maintaining agricultural

landscapes. After all, farmers are custodians of the world’s agricultural

biodiversity,” said Jack Wilkinson, President of the International

Federation of Agricultural Producers.

Mr. Wilkinson will be a keynote speaker during an ICC panel

discussion that will take place on

22 May, to celebrate International Biodiversity Day, which this year

focuses on biodiversity and agriculture. During this side event,

panelists will showcase ways that farmers and the private sector can

contribute to raising agricultural output while integrating biodiversity

conservation.

Since the 1960s, agricultural technologies from plant breeding and

nutrition, to irrigation and pest management, have dramatically raised

major crop yields some two to three-fold and prevented the destruction

of vast amounts of natural habitat, as yields increased on the land

already cropped. In addition, integrated crop management, a holistic

approach using methods such as creating field margins, and effective

water and energy management, have also proven to be highly effective

and attuned to the complex environment of agricultural ecosystems.

“Managing land in a sensible way by replicating tested and proven

solutions is the way to achieve agricultural intensification sustainably,”

said Annik Dollacker, Co-Chair of ICC’s Task Force on the

Convention on Biological Diversity.

“Despite the warning bells ringing on food security, the good news is

that there is enormous potential to increase agricultural outputs, as

yields differ significantly among regions of the world,” she added.

“The private sector urges an all-out effort by the international

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community. Let us share what we know and build on the best.”

In discussions with negotiators at COP-9, an ICC delegation will also

emphasize:

-site-specific biodiversity measures to manage ecosystems

-more investment in improved varieties and technologies

-market mechanisms to boost participation by farmers, suppliers, and

other key actors

-capacity building programs and incentives for farmers on sound

agricultural management

ICC will be the lead representative of business at COP-9 with a

delegation of 40 members from companies and business associations.

The world business organization has been involved in the negotiations

towards the creation of an international framework for biodiversity

since the Convention on Biological Diversity negotiations began.

For further information, please contact :

Maria Solis

Communications Department

Tel: +33 1 49 53 29 07

TASKS

Task 1. Give Russian equivalents for the following phrases:

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

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to tame soaring food prices

to consider multiple solutions

to address the challenges of agriculture

to be custodians

to be a keynote speaker

to consider multiple solutions

to feed a growing world population

to support business engagement and investment

to showcase ways

to boost participation by farmers

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Task 2. Answer the questions on the article:

1. Why is the International Chamber of Commerce urging COP-9

negotiators to consider multiple solutions?

2. When will an ICC panel discussion take place?

3. What methods are used for effective water and energy

management?

4. Why is managing land in a sensible way a question of utmost

importance?

5. What key issues will be emphasized in discussions with

negotiators?

Task 3. Underline the key words in each passage.

Task 4. Translate the following sentences from English into Russian