Environmental impacts in food production and processing Lorenzo Santucci United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) Subregional Workshop on the Trade and Environment Dimensions in the Food and Food Processing Industries in the Pacific Suva, Fiji, 7-8 June 2006

Every human activity has an impact on the environment Whether these impacts are positive or negative and whether they will affect long-term sustainability it is to a large extent a question of management What are the main environmental impacts in food production and processing? Let me start by saying that every human activity has an impact on the environment. Whether this impacts are positive or negative, and whether they will affect long-term sustainability, it is to a large extent a question of management. In this presentation I will briefly illustrate: What are the main environmental impacts in food production and processing? How do they affect the quality of the product? What techniques and practices can be use to manage the environmental impacts of production activities in a cost effective manner? How do they affect product quality? How to reduce and manage the environmental impacts?

Agriculture Consumption of water, energy and natural resources Use of pesticides Use of fertilizers Even though using natural resources, the cultivation of agricultural products can be very environmentally unsound. Industrial agriculture is heavily dependant on energy, large amounts of water and other scarce natural resources. Over-reliance on chemical pesticides has had negative consequences. Extensive use of fertilizers to improve crop yield can have negative effects on crop quality, the environment and human health.

Examples of ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF AGRICULTURE Materials Energy Emissions Preparation of soil Chemicals (methyl bromide) Fertilization Fertilizers Phosphate, nitrogen Irrigation Water Energy to move water Crop protection Pesticides Packaging Packaging materials Waste materials and chemicals Transporting Fuel CO2 Here is a table that provides a few examples of the environmental impacts of agricultural production in some of its stages. In the preparation of the soil, some chemicals are used, as methyl bromide, which is a fumigant used to control pests and diseases and which causes depletion of the ozone layer. Excessive use of fertilizers release substances that are dangerous to human health and interfere with eco-systems. Irrigation: agriculture is one of the main sources of water consumption and in the majority of the cases tariff structures (if any) do not reflect the actual cost of the resource and encourage inefficiency. One of the major environmental impacts arises from the use of pesticides. Many of the traditional pesticides have been found to be carcinogenic and have been banned in many countries, but continue to be used in several developing countries. Even when allowed, pesticides can have negative effects on human health and the environment, especially if not handled in the proper way. Apart from these direct environmental impacts there are other secondary environmental impacts like packaging and transportation, that may not be neglectable.

Some improvement options: Fertilization: optimum use of fertilizers and growth methods = optimum condition of the crop Irrigation: more efficient use of water (drop-irrigation), water re-use and well-working drainage system Crop protection: natural pesticides, biological pest control, Integrated Pest Management, biotechnology

Sugarcane Major environmental impacts: Soil erosion and degradation Effluents Solid waste, wastewater and emissions Habitat loss Let me illustrate some of the environmental impacts of agriculture with a commodity-specific example, the case of sugarcane, which has been one of the most important crops in human history and still plays and important role in many economies, including in Fiji. There are 4 main environmental impacts associated with sugar production: Soil erosion and degradation Effluents Solid waste, wastewater and emissions Habitat loss

Soil degradation Soil preparation, especially if done by burning, reduces the organic matter of soils and microorganism diversity In some cases cultivation leads to land subsidence Sugar processing harms the soil: removing cane from fields reduces fertility  increased use and reliance on fertilizers

Effluents Pesticides and fertilizers are a major source of pollution of local water supplies Effluents from sugarcane processing can also negatively affect water supplies and ecological areas

Solid waste, wastewater and emissions Wastes from sugarcane production if left to decompose in freshwater bodies absorb oxygen and kill fish 10 cubic meters of water per cubic meter of cane are used to wash incoming cane before processing Mills produce fuel emissions, which include soot, ash and solid substances

Habitat loss Sugarcane is one of the most cultivated crops in the tropic Its extensive cultivation has caused considerable loss of biodiverisity

Some improvement options: Soil degradation: increase organic matter (no burning), focus on more productive areas Effluents: Pest control & management, reduce nutrient loading Waste: sugar processing wastes can be treated Loss of habitat: eliminate burning prior to harvest To address the problem of soil degradation, one option id to abandon burning fields prior to harvest, to increase the organic matter in soils. To reduce erosion, production should focus on the more productive areas and abandon the more marginal and vulnerable areas. Integrated pest management allows producers to reduce the overall impact of pesticide use. When pesticides are necessary, producers should identify those that are less toxic. Simple initiatives can reduce the use of pesticides, as not spraying when wind can cause drift, and before large forecasted rains.

Aquaculture Aquaculture is the fastest-growing form of food production in the world Shrimp dominates aquaculture by value Aquaculture can cause considerable damage to fragile coastal wetlands

Aquaculture: Environmental impacts Major environmental impacts of aquaculture include: Damage to habitats and ecosystems Pollution from effluents Use of chemicals and antibiotics

Loss of habitat and ecosystems A high percentage of the environmental impact of aquaculture arises from the construction of the ponds Impacts include loss of habitat, interference with ecosystem hydrology and loss of coastal barriers In coastal areas large extensions of mangrove forests are destroyed to conducts shrimp farming A high percentage of the environmental impact of aquaculture arises from the construction of the ponds. It is estimated that as many as 90% of all environmental problems associated with shrimp farming arise from where the ponds are built. These impacts include loss of habitat, interference with ecosystem hydrology and loss of coastal barriers. In fact, mangrove forests, which are destroyed to conduct shrimp farming in costal areas, provide habitat for a large number of species. These ecosystems are of key importance because they link land and sea ecosystems. In addition, mangroves provide natural barriers against storm surges (and tsunamis). The choice of the location can also worsen other environmental impacts, for example water quality, due to the inability to evacuate effluents or properly treat them.

Pollution from effluents Pollution from effluents is caused by several sources, including: Feed and Nutrients Excrements Chemicals & antibiotics Even if effluents from individual ponds fall within acceptable limits, the sum effect of many farming activities may exceed the carrying capacity of the ecosystem Pollution from effluents is caused by several sources, including: Feed and nutrients: semi-intensive production systems require on average 2 kilograms of feed to produce 1 kilogram of shrimp. As much as 33% of the feed is estimated not to be consumed. Excessive amounts of nutrients can cause eutrophication. Excrements: excrements are often used in aquaculture to promote fish and plant growth. This practice increases the organic matter in ponds and increases the risk of infections. Chemicals and antibiotics: which we will see in the next slide.

Chemicals and antibiotics Main chemicals used are fertilizers and substances used to adjust the acidity of the water (lime) Antibiotics are largely used and are not always effective

Some improvement options: Damage to ecosystems: implement coastal zoning, use land efficiently Effluents: reduce nutrient loads, treat effluents Chemicals & antibiotics: avoid overstocking and overfeeding, avoid prohibited substances

Environmental impacts can be minimized by: Improving awareness Better management Such measures are likely also to improve product quality and reduce costs