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WORLD FOOD SUMMIT IFOAM DECLARATION



 IFOAM  August 1996 Conference:  The Copenhagen Declaration



       Global Food Security requires Organic Agriculture!

                                     

We, more than 1,000 participants at the 11th Scientific 

Conference of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture 

Movements (IFOAM), the only organization which represents the 

entire organic food chain from farm to table (530 member 

organizations in almost 100 countries), welcome the initiative of 

the FAO in bringing together the governments of the world and 

representatives of NGOs at the World Food Summit.



However, we believe that the preparatory documents emphasize the 

wrong issues in analyzing the source of the crisis in world food 

production and availability, and therefore that its commitments 

are not likely to produce effective results. In particular, 

protection of the environment, quality and safety of food, and 

local self-reliance are not recognized as essential elements of 

food security. We see a danger that the failure of the Green 

Revolution will be repeated by promoting the even more 

destructive gene-revolution. In addition key issues of access to 

resources, equitable land tenure, the rights of women and 

education have not taken the place they deserve - as a 

consequence, people will continue to suffer.



The practical and rapid development of organic agriculture 

throughout the world is living proof that it is a realistic and 

achievable approach. Organic agriculture can ensure the long term 

security of human and material resources, producing sufficient 

food of high quality whilst protecting the environment and 

conserving biodiversity. The many presentations made to the 

conference in Copenhagen provide the evidence for this.



Organic agriculture provides the means to achieve real 

sustainable food security for all. Local regional and national 

self-sufficiency in food is our shared goal - we urge the FAO to 

recognize the part organic production can play in achieving this 

goal.



The FAO, amidst a food crisis which impacts on more than 800 

million people in poverty, is missing an opportunity by not 

drawing on IFOAM's 25-years extensive experience and expertise in 

organic production.





Global food security requires organic agriculture!



   International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements 

           at the Copenhagen Conference, August 1996





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