We are seeing global supply chains under pressure. How can a more sustainable agricultural/food sector be part of securing the global food supply?
Crises must be tackled together, and their mutually accumulative effect on each other must be understood. Wise solutions are called for that encompass both higher yield and better biodiversity and climate so that the latter is not achieved by reducing food production.
Setting up solar farms on good farmland, for example, to reduce dependence on Russian gas is problematic if it results in less food availability for the poorest people. Modern solutions for the agricultural sector that look to improve yields in a sustainable way carry immense weight in this context.
Which role can bio solutions play in a sustainable transition, and what obstacles are they facing?
Sustainable solutions supporting the green transition have vast potential but are facing massive regulatory barriers at EU level. We must protect nature and human beings, so the precautionary principle is important – but what about applying a proportionality principle? With the climate and biodiversity crises, mankind is facing fatal consequences if we don’t act.
So it really doesn’t make sense that natural, microbial solutions that could help counteract these issues perhaps never make it to the market because of a rigid system – then who are we protecting, and from what? Why not apply risk management and a 'flexicurity' model: Fast approval and market entry and fast off the market in case of challenges. That is why bringing the food value chain and legislators together is so important. Companies are going from adjusting existing political framework conditions to working on changing them to promote sustainable solutions for a greener future.
