Mr. Chair,
My name is Maria Christina Pacheco. I am a cane grower from Brazil and
my organisation is a member of the International Federation of
Agricultural Producers (IFAP).
1 - RECOGNISE
FARMERS expect CSD to fully recognise renewable energies from
agricultural and forestry sources (food and non food) as a viable
alternative source of energy. Renewable energies represent an opportunity
to increase farmers? income, to revive rural communities, bringing jobs
and wealth, fighting poverty in rural area. Of course, farmers are well
aware that the development of renewable energies has to be done in a
sustainable way.
FARMERS should become producers of bio-energies and not just
providers of cheap raw materials to energy companies. We, as
FARMERS have to be key players in the entire value chain from
production to distribution. Therefore, our participation as a stakeholder is
key and must be facilitated to ensure improvements of our income and to
avoid all benefits going to large bio-energy industries.
2 GOVERNMENT?S ACTION
In order to achieve this, government must:
- Establish policies and regulations on bio-energy that reflect the needs of
farmers and farming communities. In particular, these policies should
address the special needs of small-scale farmers in both developed and
developing countries, but bio-energy can provide growth opportunities
for both types of economies.
- Create enabling environments and management models in the form
of support and incentive mechanisms to reduce production costs for
farmers while stimulating environmentally-friendly practices. These must
promoted to facilitate and support farmer?s investment in production of
bio-energies. These enabling tools should include support mechanisms
such as: tax incentives to encourage investment, incentives for processing
facilities, clear quality standards, and direct marketing mechanisms of
bio-energy consumers.
3 PRIORITIES FOR FARMERS
FARMERS are asking governments to include three priorities in their
policies.
1- Measures to make sustainable energy technologies cost competitive
2- Access to the necessary investment capital
3- Measures to minimize risks
FARMERS calls on governments to support the research community in
developing cost-efficient production systems using local crops and underutilised
species for bio-energy production.
4 POLICY REFORMS TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE
Bio-energy is linked to the question of climate change, and climate
change is also a critical issue for farmers. FARMERS are calling upon
national governments to initiate policy reforms to ensure that the creation
of carbon credits established by a change of agricultural practices be
attributed and paid to the farmer. This would provide farmers with an
alternative source of income while promoting good agricultural practices.
Also, internalizing climate vulnerability into agricultural policies is
necessary. Establishing a clear national strategy and budgeting
predicted financial losses incurred by climatic events that will impact on
food security are needed. Foresight into farmers needs by consulting with
them will facilitate implementation of remedial programs.
Finally, Mr. Chair,
FARMERS are willing to build innovative partnerships with all
stakeholders including national governments for the development of
sustainable sources of energy and for mitigating and adapting to the
adverse effects of climate change. Farmers have the potential to overcome
this challenge. We look forward to coming up with an action oriented
negotiating text where all stakeholders, including FARMERS, are fully
recognised as key and equal partners.
Thank you for your attention.
