FAO VMUN 2017 Background Guide 1

FAO VMUN 2017 Background Guide 1


Dear Delegates, My name is Jodi Fei and I am extremely excited to serve as the Director of The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization for the very first time at VMUN 2017. I am a grade 12 student at Crofton House School and one of the Model UN captains at my school this year. I began MUN in grade 10, when I sparked an interest in international relations, and wanted to try a new activity. After attending several conferences as a delegate, I am looking forward to being a Director in my senior year. FAO will be discussing two topics this year at VMUN 2017: Agricultural Strain on the Environment and The Use of Genetically Modified Organisms. In a world where the global population continues to grow and technology advances rapidly, the world is urgently trying to produce sufficient amounts of food while maintaining environmental standards. These topics affect every country in the world, and every country needs to be involved. Your country, big or small, has important contributions to make in this debate. As we are trying to feed the world and transport food to every corner of the globe, this takes a huge toll on the environment, which is the first topic. Problems include contamination of water sources, arable land destruction, and air pollution. We all share the same earth, and nations have to help each other to find solutions to these problems, as well as prevent any other issues from arising. Each nation has its own concerns, but can also assist other nations to fix theirs. The second topic is The Use of Genetically Modified Organisms. The global population is rising exponentially, while food yield is only producing arithmetically. With modern technology, genetically modified organisms has become available, and is allowing for new products and strategies to emerge to help feed the population. GMOs impact our lives daily; we consume some sort of genetically modified ingredient every day. All nations, whether it be a powerful nation, or a small island country, will have to discuss the efficiency and risks and effectiveness of GMOs, as well as propose any new and beneficial ways of implementing GMOs into our lives. These topics will involve everyone’s input, so look forward to a great weekend of vivid debate! If there are any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me any time! On behalf of the dais, I extend my warmest welcomes to have you all in FAO this year! Sincerely, Jodi Fei Director of FAO – VMUN 2017

Alvin Tsuei Secretary-General

Chris Pang

Chief of Staff

Eva Zhang Director-General

Arjun Mehta

Director of Logistics

Graeme Brawn USG General Assemblies

Ryan Karimi

USG Specialized Agencies

Mary Dong USG Conference

Ken Hong

USG Delegate Affairs

Isabelle Cheng USG Delegate Affairs

Jason Qu

USG Finance

Jan Lim USG Marketing

VANCOUVER MODEL UNITED NATIONS the sixteenth annual conference | January 20-22, 2017


Food and Agriculture Organization

Position Paper Policy What is a Position Paper? A position paper is a brief overview of a country’s stance on the topics being discussed by a particular committee. Though there is no specific format the position paper must follow, it should include a description of your positions your country holds on the issues on the agenda, relevant actions that your country has taken, and potential solutions that your country would support. At Vancouver Model United Nations, delegates should write a position paper for each of the committee’s topics. Each position paper should not exceed one page, and should all be combined into a single document per delegate. Formatting Position papers should: — Include the name of the delegate, his/her country, and the committee — Be in a standard font (e.g. Times New Roman) with a 12-point font size and 1-inch document margins — Not include illustrations, diagrams, decorations, national symbols, watermarks, or page borders — Include citations and a bibliography, in any format, giving due credit to the sources used in research (not included in the 1-page limit) Due Dates and Submission Procedure Position papers for this committee must be submitted by midnight on January 8th, 2017. Once your position paper is complete, please save the file as your last name, your first name and send it as an attachment in an email, to your committee’s email address, with the subject heading as your last name, your first name — Position Paper. Please do not add any other attachments to the email or write anything else in the body. Both your position papers should be combined into a single PDF or Word document file; position papers submitted in another format will not be accepted. Each position paper will be manually reviewed and considered for the Best Position Paper award. The email address for this committee is [email protected].


Table of Contents

Agricultural Strain on the Environment ....................................................................................... 4Overview ......................................................................................................................................................... 4Timeline .......................................................................................................................................................... 4Historical Analysis ......................................................................................................................................... 5Current Situation ........................................................................................................................................... 6

Past UN/International Involvement .............................................................................................................. 9

Possible Solutions and Controversies ............................................................................................................ 9

Bloc Positions ............................................................................................................................................... 11Canada and USA ................................................................................................................................................................. 11Latin America and the Caribbean ..................................................................................................................................... 11Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia ................................................................................................................................. 12Central Asia ......................................................................................................................................................................... 12Europe ................................................................................................................................................................................... 12

Discussion Questions ................................................................................................................................... 13

Additional Sources ....................................................................................................................................... 13

References ..................................................................................................................................................... 13

The Use of Genetically Modified Organisms .............................................................................. 15

Overview ....................................................................................................................................................... 15

Timeline ........................................................................................................................................................ 15

Historical Analysis ....................................................................................................................................... 16

Current Situation ......................................................................................................................................... 17

Past UN/International Involvement ............................................................................................................ 18

Possible Solutions and Controversies .......................................................................................................... 19

Bloc Positions ............................................................................................................................................... 20North America and Australia ............................................................................................................................................ 20Latin and South America ................................................................................................................................................... 20Europe ................................................................................................................................................................................... 20Asia ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 20Africa .................................................................................................................................................................................... 21

Discussion Questions ................................................................................................................................... 21

Additional Sources ....................................................................................................................................... 21

References ..................................................................................................................................................... 21


Food and Agriculture Organization Topic A

Agricultural Strain on the Environment Overview We all enjoy a great meal on our plates at the dinner table with our family. However, we often do not think about how our food is made, and how it gets to us. Many do not realize the impacts of food production on the environment, and the relevance it is on our lives every day. In the past few decades, the demand for food is skyrocketing as the global population continues to grow exponentially. The high demand for food production is leaving a huge strain on the environment, end the consequences affect everyone. Developed nations are carelessly impacting the environment, while the developing nations are on the other end receiving the negative impacts. The agricultural market globally has been dominated by developed nations, and the environmental impact has been detrimental to the global resources. These resources include water pollution, air pollution, habitat loss, and ocean contamination. Although it seems like this issue is not that big of a concern, the gradual increase of development and commercial farming will cause a significant impact on the environment. Commercial farming is on the rise; farmers are steering away from self-sufficiency, and are farming for sale in markets, and trade with companies and other nations. Maintaining our globe’s well being and introducing more sustainable ways of agriculture should be a priority. It is incredibly important that measures are taken immediately and effectively to avoid problems that cannot be saved in the future. Timeline 1700s – Agricultural Revolution occurs in Great Britain. More machinery and technology is introduced to agricultural practices. 1843 – First fertilizer factory built1 1849 – Pesticides are sold commercially. 1940s – The idea of organic agriculture was introduced. 1945 – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is formed. This organization was formed with the main goal of defeating hunger in both developed and developing nations. 1960s – The Green Revolution – the industrialization and modernization of global agricultural production2 – spread globally. 1989 – 90 million metric tons of fish and seafood were taken from the ocean.3 1992 – International Conference on Water and the Environment took place in Dublin, Ireland. This conference focussed on strategies, innovations, and management on freshwater resources.4 1 First fertilizer factory. http://www.sehn.org/Volume_9-2.html 2 Green revolution. http://aheadoftheherd.com/Newsletter/2011/A-Harsh-Reality.html 3 Overfishing. http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/explore/pristine-seas/critical-issues-overfishing/ 4 ICWE Conference. http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/T0800E/t0800e0a.htm


1994 – Satellite technology is introduced to farmers to track farming practices. 1997 – Agri-Environment Correspondents Group in Europe; the meetings by this group allowed for discussions regarding agriculture and the environment.5 1999 – Very first International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture, Environment and Forestry took place 6 2001 – Conference on Agricultural and Environmental Statistical Applications took place in Rome, Italy.7 2005 – A significant amount of bees began to die from pesticides. This goes on for over a decade. 2013 – The European Union decided to ban neonicotinoid pesticides for two years8 Historical Analysis Humans began as hunters and gatherers at the beginning of human existence. The beginning of agriculture – the domestication of plants and animals 10 000 years ago9 – aligned with climate fluctuations and the beginning of accelerated population growth. Thousands of years later, another population boom overtook the globe. Ever since the Agricultural Revolution occurred in the 18th century, modern improved technology has been used to increase crop yields. The priority was to mass-produce as much as possible, with the environmental impacts often overlooked. With that, industrial agriculture has taken over the globe, and it was not long until the environmental impacts were evident. New machinery was introduced, as well as the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. In 1840, Justin von Liebig produced a publication named Chemistry in the Application to Agriculture and Physiology outlining the use of fertilizers will “maintain the productivity of agriculture” while requiring less labour. Livestock production was also in high demand, and this became an issue as livestock produces a lot of waste. The most serious issue about agriculture still stands today. Soil erosion has been evident in past civilizations, and has in fact lead to the downfall of civilizations10 because of unfarmable land damaged by soil erosion. Strategies such as terracing and contour ploughing11 were proposed, and to farm on a larger land area; however, the large land area resulted to be more prone to erosion. Maintaining soil conditions lead to additional finance issues to farmers; any potential short-term risk of profit loss outweighed any long-term benefits of preserving and maintaining soil.12 Pesticides Pesticides in the post-World War II era were the some of the best forms of pest management. The very first pesticides included extremely toxic compounds such as arsenic and hydrogen cyanide,13 thus becoming too toxic or too ineffective to use towards pest control. These were considered “first generation” pesticides, with “second generation” pesticides being the result of synthetic organic compounds.14 In 1939, the pesticide

5 AECG. Agri-Environment Correspondents Group 6 ICSAEF Conference. https://www.waset.org/conference/2016/08/paris/ICSAEF/call-for-papers 7 CAESA Conference. http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/ess/documents/icas2/ICAS2.pdf 8 History of pesticides. http://blogs.uoregon.edu/ajacobssu13gateway/timeline/ 9 Global Agriculture. http://ciesin.columbia.edu/docs/004-147/004-147.html 10 Ecological Impact of Modern Agriculture. http://eap.mcgill.ca/DIAE_1.htm 11 Ibid. 12 Ibid. 13 History of Pesticide Use. http://people.oregonstate.edu/~muirp/pesthist.htm 14 Ibid.


dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) was discovered by Swiss chemist Paul Muller.15 This pesticide was demonstrated by Muller when he used it to kill Colorado potato beetles that were invading potato crops in North America and Europe.16 Case Study: Brazil17 Sustainable rural life and agro-ecology, Santa Catarina State, Brazil A case study performed by the FAO regarding sustainability in agriculture took place in the rural state of Santa Catarina in Brazil. Agreco, an NGO located in Santa Rosa de Lima, stated, “all associates must develop agro-ecological systems and promote sustainable management on their farms” (FAO). Since the introduction of sustainability in these farms, a noticeable decrease in tobacco, pig and poultry production among other practices has helped protect local vegetation and livestock. Livestock feeds on produce and vegetation and other crops, hence placing a strain on vegetative crops, Agreco also states their goals on developing agricultural policies focusing on “solidarity and cooperation” (FAO) rather than producing for the market. The group has also focussed on incorporating traditional agricultural practices, and more sustainable paths of producing food. Overall, the goal of Agreco through the project is to sure more sustainable and environmentally friendly ways of producing agriculture in areas of the rural and self-sustained state of Santa Catarina in Brazil. Current Situation

Figure 1: Exponential population growth projection from 1050-205018

15 Ibid. 16 Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane history. http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/pests_05.html 17 San Catarina sustainable development http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/y4137e/y4137e07b.htm#P1029_159106 18 Population Growth in 1000 years. http://blog.dssresearch.com/?p=229


Figure 1 shows the population growth in the millennium. This graph ties in with the concept proposed by Thomas Malthus; starting in the nineteenth century, population growth skyrocketed exponentially, with no signs of stopping. Meanwhile, food production is only producing arithmetically, a real dilemma for the future if population growth does not slow down.19 The global demand for food continues to grow, and agricultural practices have changed to become more efficient and meet these demands. However, many agricultural practices result in detrimental impacts on the environment. The well being of our globe’s oceans, atmosphere, water sources, and natural habitats are all in jeopardy. The outstanding amount of water, fuel, and land area used by the agricultural industry is alarming and many do not understand the severity of the issue. As the world is rapidly developing, the majority of the population is slowly steering away from subsistence farming, and relying more on commercial and industrial agriculture. Subsistence farming is farming for one’s own needs, and they focus on growing enough food for their family and often do not participate in trade. On the other hand, commercial farming is the practice of mass production and food is made to earn a profit, in both trade as well as selling to a market. Both of these production processes are extremely different, and the lifestyles of farmers are different as well. Subsistence farming requires more man labour, whereas in commercial farming, more machines are used and there is less labour involved. These two types of farming have different effects on the environment. By far, the largest contributor to impacting the environment is animal agriculture. Alone, livestock production occupies up to 30% of the earth’s land.20 Over 30% of water consumption is also by the animal agriculture industry, as well as being the reason behind 91% of the Amazon rainforest destruction. Meat production require substantial amounts of land, and the rainforest is continued to be cleared out and converted into farmland. Clearly, the demand for meat and meat products have skyrocketed in recent years, and demands will continue to grow. There is no sustainable way to produce meat, and the global situation will worsen. In addition to the impacts of animal agriculture, the entire agriculture industry as a whole leaves a significant impact on the globe’s environment. Unsustainable ways of farming and agriculture leave a significant strain on the earth’s resources and many have reached beyond rates of renewal. The globe’s population will continue to exponentially rise, and the earth’s resources will continue to face heavy strains. The main impacts are on habitat loss, air pollution, water usage, water sources, soil erosion, and arable land destruction. Habitat Loss Due to the globe’s limited amount of arable land, industrial farmers have cleared habitable land into farming land. In fact, around 50% of the world’s habitable land has been turned into farming land.21 Up to 91% of the Amazon Rainforest destruction is due to animal agriculture, and it is expected that more will be destructed. With farmland covering over 38% of the earth’s total land area, we can only expect an increase in this number. In developing countries, an additional 120 million hectares of natural habitats will be converted to farmland by 2050 in order to cope with food demands worldwide. Air Pollution In industrial agriculture, the food distribution chain is long and complicated. Each nation has its own abundant resources that are unique due to their geographical region. This has allowed globalization to happen, and international trade is booming; but it has come to an expense of producing air pollution. Especially in 19 Thomas Malthus Theory of Population. http://cgge.aag.org/PopulationandNaturalResources1e/CF_PopNatRes_Jan10/CF_PopNatRes_Jan108.html 20 Livestock impacts on the environment. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?newsID=20772#.V5hxs5MrJE4 21 Habitat Loss. http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/footprint/agriculture/impacts/habitat_loss/


developed nations, food from the farms is often in rural, isolated areas, and food travels thousands of kilometers before reaching our plates for consumption. Vehicles vary from trucks, trains, ships, and airplanes, depending on the range of delivery. Throughout the entire distribution process, lots of fuel and gas are consumed, resulting in carbon emissions and carbon dioxide released into the air.

Figure 2. Current food chain and sustainable food chain.22

Water Usage and Water Sources By far, agribusiness – agriculture used for commercial purposes – is the greatest user of water. Over 70% of accessible freshwater is used for agriculture, compared to 23% used by the industries and technology.23 The major food producing countries such as the United States of America and India have reached or are reaching their renewable water limits. There are a few reasons behind the dangerously low water supplies. Leaky and insufficient irrigation systems result in a lot of water wasted through pipes and hoses, and planting thirsty crops in not ideal environments also results in significant water usage. In addition, overconsumption24 places a strain on aquifers, and also affects the water availability in other parts of the world. The impacts of not taking care of the earth’s water sources are serious. The water table is changing drastically, and water supplies are depleting rapidly. Soil Erosion Soil erosion is the wearing away of a field’s topsoil, usually caused by water and wind. The result of soil erosion leads to degraded land, and reduced soil fertility. The loss of fertile land is detrimental to agriculture, because of the already very limited amount of land that is available for planting. Some of the major crops that cause erosion are coffee, cotton, corn, rice, tea, wheat, etc. Unfortunately, these crops are incredibly important to the 22 Food Chains. http://www.pwc.com/id/en/media-centre/pwc-in-news/2014/english/from-farm-to-plate-or-farm-to-waste.html 23 Water Usage. http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/footprint/agriculture/impacts/water_use/ 24 Water Resource Issues. http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/T0800E/t0800e0a.htm#b3-World%20water%20resources


agriculture business, and are important toward international trade and consumption. The results of soil erosion also cause problems in other areas. The soil that is carried off after irrigation or rainfall can lead to sedimentation in rivers, lakes, and other water sources. This causes severe damage to freshwater supplies, as well as marine habitats, resulting in a significant loss of fish. Arable Land Destruction In many countries, arable land is limited, and often times, not enough in order to sustain a country’s population. Over the years, land degraded has reached about 30% of the total global land area. This is problematic because land area will continue to be converted into agricultural space, and commercial agriculture will continue to make the situation worse. There is currently a reported loss of 10 million hectares of arable land every year, and this number is only expected to increase.25 Past UN/International Involvement Ultimately, the goal for everyone is to receive sufficient, affordable, and nutritious food while sustaining the environment and natural resources. There have been several international efforts working toward that goal. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have laid out the UNEP Sustainable Food Programme, with the goal to raise awareness of food sustainability at the local, regional, and the international level.26 They have tried to create more market-based approaches to tailor the needs of every region. For example, in Asia, rice production sustainability would be a focus there, and coffee beans would be the focus of South-East Asia and South America. The IAEA also has joined with the FAO in ensuring safe food and sustainable food. The Food and Environmental Protection Laboratory (FEPL) has developed detection methods for pesticides, livestock drugs, and other chemical pollutants.27 These detectors were given to farmers and other field owners, to give feedback. These regulations and practices were applied to ensure food safety while also protecting the environment. In addition, the Soil and Water Management & Crop Nutrition Laboratory (SWMCNL) have used isotope and nuclear techniques to improve the quality of soil, water, as well as cutting down on carbon emissions and greenhouse gas production.28 They have also done soil erosion assessments, and used nuclear techniques to ensure water conservation, while improving water quantity and quality. The United Nations itself has recognized the “collective will and commitment” by international efforts to ensure that the global population is fed, while maintaining environmental sustainability. Possible Solutions and Controversies Reducing the Farming of Livestock Without a doubt, farming animals and other livestock use up a lot of water and resources. Feeding and grazing livestock requires a vast area of land and the environmental impacts are detrimental. Livestock is by far the leading cause of air pollution and climate change, produces 65% of the world’s nitrous oxide, and is the leading cause of ocean dead zones, habitat destruction, and species extinction. Often times, food and crops produced 25 Arable Land Destroyed. http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/footprint/agriculture/impacts/soil_erosion/ 26 Sustainable Food Systems. http://www.unep.org/resourceefficiency/Home/Business/SectoralActivities/AgricultureFood/tabid/78943/Default.aspx 27 Ensuring food authenticity. http://www-naweb.iaea.org/nafa/about-nafa/food-protection-laboratory.html 28 Improving quality of water and soil nutrients. http://www-naweb.iaea.org/nafa/swmn/swmcn-laboratory.html


are fed to livestock animals rather than for human consumption. By reducing livestock farming, resources could be used elsewhere and more effectively. Being Mindful of Water Source Usage Even in countries and regions where fresh water is plentiful, there have been warnings and dangers of fresh water shortages. Water is the essential resource for life. The agricultural business uses up a lot of fresh water, and aquifers and rivers are often contaminated, which affects the global freshwater resources. By being mindful of water usage, the strain on aquifers will be relaxed, allowing water sources to renew themselves. Fresh water is the most important source for all living organisms on the planet, and it is essential we all take part in preserving it. Watching Food Waste So much food is wasted every day. As millions starve every day, those living in the developed world are wasting over a third of produced food. Food waste result in unnecessary waste in the landfills, which is detrimental to the air and the land. Currently, roughly a third of food produced is wasted. There is enough food produced to feed the entire globe and for everyone to live comfortably, but the produced food is not put to good use. Much of agriculture production is not used to feed people, but instead, to feed livestock animals. For example, not only are cows not supposed to live of corn, but it is also not a good use of the harvested produce. By feeding produce grown to humans, the developing regions can have more resources to distribute around to its people. Eating Local and Supporting Local Farmers Eating local drastically reduces the carbon footprint created by the transportation sector in agriculture. Transporting food over large distances is not just bad for the environment; it is also very expensive. Transportation vehicles vary between trucks, trains, ships, and planes, depending on the distance of which the product must be delivered. Fuel consumption is significant, and sometimes unnecessary, if products can be found more locally. In addition, supporting local farmers can also improve food distribution within a local community. The food production chain is a lot shorter and simpler, and citizens are more aware of where their food came from. By buying produce from a local farmer, farmers earn a profit, it is easy access for citizens, and transportation costs are minimal.


Figure 3. The Food Production chain from farm to plate.29

Bloc Positions Canada and USA30 Undoubtedly, North America is a global leader in production and consumerism. The abundance of natural resources allow for development and extensive industrial agriculture. Both Canada and the USA boast a high standard of living, but also a high standard of waste production. Sharing the longest border in the world, they also share common concerns relating to agricultural impacts of the environment. Water quality is generally exceptional in both countries, and water consumption reach astonishing levels. Poor agricultural practices have affected the quality of some rivers, lakes, and other water sources. In addition, overfishing is a major concern in the region, as well as loss of habitat, Air pollution is created by methane production by livestock, and other pesticides released in the air. Both Canada and the USA aim to reduce the impacts of agriculture on the environment. Latin America and the Caribbean31 Latin America and the Caribbean are always facing the dangers and effects of climate change. Latin America’s food production exports are a significant contribution towards the world food trade, because of the commodities available and grown in the region. Despite producing goods that are sought for in other regions, a significant number of Latin America and Caribbean citizens are still undernourished. Climate change will worsen the situation, affecting environmental conditions for production and farming. These regions are hot; temperatures are expected to increase with climate change. Increase in temperatures affect water, soil, and air quality, as well as rising sea levels and increase in greenhouse gas emissions. When the region experiences droughts and significant dry periods of time, food-producing areas face challenges and ultimately affect the production of food. Latin America and the Caribbean will continue to face climate change, which will affect their crop production and variety, as certain crops will not be able to be grown under drastic environmental

29 Food Production Chain. http://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/outbreaks/investigating-outbreaks/production-chain.html 30 North American environmental concerns. http://www.unep.org/geo/geo1/ch/ch2_11.htm 31 Agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean. http://www.uncclearn.org/sites/default/files/inventory/idb40.pdf


changes. This region hopes to focus on soil conservation, careful crop irrigation, and watching water consumption. Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia32 These regions are always facing the dangers of food insecurity. As a result, any form of agriculture is put towards feeding the population. In an effort to produce enough food for everyone, several agricultural practices result in impacts on the environment. Major examples include deforestation, water depletion, air pollution, soil erosion, and climate change, among others. Because of the large population in both of these regions, limited land space is available for production. This results in field expansion, which destroys habitats and forests, and also in a limit of crop diversity. Environmental impacts affect all sorts of crop production, but the severity of the results of agriculture clearly affects both of these regions. Climate change also targets these areas, and CO2 emissions cause air pollution. Other factors that greatly impact the wellbeing of these regions include the strain on land availability, soil fertility, and unpredictable water availability. Because of the geography of these two regions, Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia also face droughts, and water shortages. Overall, the use of fertilizers, large water consumption, and field expansion lead to environmental concerns in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Central Asia33 Central Asia is a region vastly covered by desert; only 20% of the region is suitable for producing agriculture. Its agricultural struggles date back to the break up of the Soviet Union, in which water sources were used carelessly and resulted in the disappearance of the Aral Sea.34 Soil salinity has also increased, with up to 90% of soil unusable for agriculture in Turkmenistan.35 Climate change, alike other regions, is also detrimental to Central Asia. Rainfall has declined, and temperatures and sea levels are rising. Climate change has also affected crop yields, both positively and negatively, with an increase in certain crops, but a noticeable decline in several others. Water supplies are also low due to the disappearance of the Aral Sea (which was actually a freshwater lake) and rainfall levels are not high enough to compensate. Many regions in Central Asia are vulnerable to water scarcity, and the region will focus on being more efficient with water usage and water consumption. Europe36 With the Agricultural revolution originating from Great Britain, the entire continent has since undergone significant changes in agricultural practices. Agriculture by far is the largest occupant of land in Europe, and is expected to expand. Lots of natural areas and habitats are being converted into agricultural land. Europe’s agricultural scene also includes a loss in crop diversity, due to modern agriculture production systems. By 2025, the rural areas of Europe will face an increasing pressure on biodiversity. Another concern by Europe as well is water supply and water availability, which is affected depending on climate change. Fortunately, restrictions on water usage for agriculture will be established, especially because several regions are currently facing droughts. Soil erosion and pollution in Europe are caused by unsustainable practices of production, and will affect resources varying from water sources to the atmosphere. Alike North America, livestock production in Europe result in rising methane and nitrous oxide levels in the atmosphere. On the other hand, Europe is a world leader in renewable energy, and is looking to use bioenergy in any way during agricultural processes to reduce environmental impacts. Europe’s goals are towards restoring the diversity of crops, and maintaining and developing sustainable agricultural practices. 32 Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12571-015-0478-1 33 Agriculture in Central Asia. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167880914001170 34 Ibid. 35 Ibid. 36Agriculture in Europe. https://ec.europa.eu/research/agriculture/scar/pdf/scar_foresight_environment_en.pdf


Discussion Questions

1. How has globalization contributed to environmental impacts of agriculture?

2. How can developed nations help developing nations be sustainable in agriculture?

3. What is the biggest change needed to reduce environmental impacts?

4. What can citizens of a nation do to contribute to helping the environment?

5. Why has it taken so long for the world to recognize that agricultural impacts on the environment is detrimental?

Additional Sources Introduction to the Agricultural Revolution: https://www.britannica.com/topic/agricultural-revolution Information on separate countries: http://www.fao.org/countryprofiles/en/ Additional information on Agriculture and the environment: http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/y3557e/y3557e11.htm References "CleanMetrics - Home." CleanMetrics - Home. Web. 31 July 2016.

"Environmental Impacts and Constraints Associated with the Production of Major Food Crops in Sub-Saharan

Africa and South Asia." SpringerLink. Web. 31 July 2016.

"Farming: Habitat Conversion & Loss." WWF Conserves Our Planet, Habitats, & Species like the Panda & Tiger.

Web. 31 July 2016.

"Farming: Soil Erosion and Degradation." WWF Conserves Our Planet, Habitats, & Species like the Panda &

Tiger. Web. 31 July 2016.

"Farming: Wasteful Water Use." WWF Conserves Our Planet, Habitats, & Species like the Panda & Tiger. Web.

31 July 2016.

"The Food Production Chain - How Food Gets Contaminated." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 24 Mar. 2015. Web. 31 July 2016.

"GEO-1: Chapter 2: Regional Perspectives: North America: Major Environmental Concerns." GEO-1: Chapter 2:

Regional Perspectives: North America: Major Environmental Concerns. Web. 31 July 2016.


"Historical Timeline — Farm Machinery & Technology." Agriculture in the Classroom. Web. 31 July 2016.

"Home Page | Research & Innovation." Home Page. Web. 31 July 2016.

"Impacts of Climate Change on Farm Income Security in Central Asia: An Integrated Modeling Approach."

Impacts of Climate Change on Farm Income Security in Central Asia: An Integrated Modeling Approach.

Web. 31 July 2016.

"Joint FAO/IAEA Programme - NAFA." Celebrating 50 Years 1964. Web. 31 July 2016.

"Joint FAO/IAEA Programme - NAFA." Soil and Water Management & Crop Nutrition Laboratory. Web. 31 July

2016.

"Rearing Cattle Produces More Greenhouse Gases than Driving Cars, UN Report Warns." UN News Center.

UN, 29 Nov. 2006. Web. 31 July 2016.

"Science & Environmental Health Network - The Networker: A Brief History of Sustainable Agriculture: Mar

04." Science & Environmental Health Network - The Networker: A Brief History of Sustainable Agriculture:

Mar 04. Web. 31 July 2016.

"UN CC:Learn." UN CC:Learn. Web. 31 July 2016.

"United Nations Environment Programme." Agriculture. Web. 31 July 2016.

"United Nations Environment Programme." Resource-efficiency Business Sectoral Activities Agriculture & Food.

Web. 31 July 2016.

"World Population Growth over Time." DSS Research Looking Beyond The Expected. Web. 31 July 2016.

"Agricultural Revolution." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 31 July 2016


Food and Agriculture Organization Topic B

The Use of Genetically Modified Organisms Overview As technology advances, the exploration of new products such as Genetically Modified Organisms has become prominent. The introduction of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) became a turning point in food and agriculture production around the globe. Self-sufficiency for certain countries has been difficult to achieve, and farmers hope to use GMOs to increase crop yields and improve global food security. However, debate remains on whether the use of GMOs is effective and ethical, and if it is the safest way to combat the high demands of food. The perspective of GMOs vary from regions of the world. In developing countries, the idea of GMOs are explored to create larger yields of food, and help combat hunger and food shortages. On the other hand, regions like Europe are strict on the production of GMOs. Strict government guidelines are enforced and followed. The existence of this technology is still fairly new, and the technology is being experimented. Governments require more information and regulation within their countries to oversee and prevent any major problems and controversies, before further implementations and production of genetically engineered products become available to the population. As the global population continues to grow, countries must work in harmony to ensure proper food and nutrition for everyone. Access to food is a necessity in life; the production of GMOs is explored in hopes of benefiting the entire globe. It is a priority to have enough healthy food provided for the population using an efficient and ethical strategy, and be able to keep up with the booming population that will continue to grow.

Timeline

7800BCE – Artificial Selection – the process of changing the characteristics of plants over several generations – is prevalent in Hunters and Gatherers era37 1901 – The company Monsanto was founded. Monsanto is a company that is the lead producer of genetically engineered seeds and herbicides. 1975 – Asilomar Conference – Biologists came together with lawyers and doctors to discuss guidelines on how to safely use genetically engineered DNA.38

1982 – The first GMO is approved by the FDA.

1994 – First GMO product hits grocery store shelves.39

1996 – Argentina becomes the first Latin American country to accept GMOs.

1996 – Weeds resistant to glyphosate – a herbicide often found in GMO products – were found in Australia.40

37 GMO Timeline. http://gmoinside.org/gmo-timeline-a-history-genetically-modified-foods/ 38 GMO History. http://www.rosebudmag.com/truth-squad/gmo-timeline-a-history-of-genetically-modified-foods 39 Ibid. 40 Ibid.


1997 – The European Union requires all GMO products to be labelled. 1999 – Genetically Modified Organisms become prevalent all over the world. 2003 – GMO-Resistant Pests: Helicoverpa zea, a moth, was found eating GMO cotton crops in the southern USA. Less than a decade after the use of the genetically engineered toxins, the moths have adapted and became resistant. Historical Analysis Even though it seems as if genetically modified organisms is a new concept introduced in our modern world, the process and technique has existed since the ‘Hunters and Gatherers” era.41 The ancient technique of genetically modifying products is called artificial selection, described as the process of selecting the various most desirable traits from organisms and combining these genes to produce offspring. The continuous process of artificial selection over several generations eventually results in major genetic changes a particular organism or species. Ancient History of Genetically Modified Organisms Domesticated dogs are widely viewed as genetically modified organisms. Humans used to be hunters and gatherers – meaning they hunt and gather food in the wild – and those in East Asia had packs of wolves to travel with them as they went searching for food. These wolves were domesticated, trained, and artificially selected, which after several generations lead to the existence of modern domestic dogs.42 This happened over 32 000 years43 ago, providing a very early history of the modern day genetically modified organism. When examining modern dog breeds, one observes that they have little resemblance to wolves they originated from. This is just one example of artificial selection used in history, and there are numerous other artificially selected organisms, such as horses and cattle. Artificial selection has also been applied to plants. Dating back to 7800 BCE, evidence of different varieties of wheat were found, proving the existence of artificial selection. Corn, perhaps the most notable example of artificial selection in plants, originated from a wild grass. Similarly to animals, other modern fruits and plants exist today because of artificial selection. Modern History of Genetically Modified Organisms The history of modern day GMOs differ from ancient techniques, with the biggest difference being the existence and accessibility of modern technology. In 1973, Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen successfully created the very first modern genetically modified organism.44 They extracted a gene from one organism, and placed it in another; more specifically, they transferred a strand of antibiotic resistant bacteria from the one organism to the other. The next year, Rudolf Jaenisch and Beatrice Mintz managed to conduct the same procedure on animals, thus creating modern livestock modifications.

41 Long History of GMOs. http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2015/from-corgis-to-corn-a-brief-look-at-the-long-history-of-gmo-technology/ 42 Ibid. 43 Ibid. 44 Ibid.


Current Situation

Figure 4. The Global Area of GMO crops distribution.

GMO use is certainly on the rise. Nearly every meal consumed in the North American household contains genetically modified organisms to some degree.45 The practice of genetically modifying food has spread around the world, and is used for a variety of different reasons. Governments and large businesses such are monopolizing the market and products. Concerns rise from ethical dilemmas as well as cost and efficiency, all which are risk and management concerns that have to be regulated and observed by organizations and governments.

There are many different ways where products are altered and modified and the different implementations of modifying an organism vary from product to product. The objectives of GMOs are to yield higher crop fields, be more efficient, and aid self-sufficiency in countries that are struggling with food production.

Usage The alteration of genetics in organisms allows the ability to produce pest and insect repellent produce, while being able to double the production of food.46 The existence of GMOs in developing countries and geographically-challenged regions can benefit the efficiency of food production in those areas, since GMOs can be programmed to fit the conditions of specific weather conditions, as well as improve harvest in the particular area. Antibiotics in Livestock With livestock consumption not to slowing down, antibiotics in livestock is one of the most common examples of GMO use in agriculture. Meat consumption has approximately quadrupled in the past half a century, and will continue to increase. The developing world is becoming richer, and more people are able to afford meat products more often. The use of antibiotics prevents and controls diseases in livestock, as well as help animals gain weight in a faster amount of time. Since antibiotics destroy bacteria, it is used by farmers to reduce and

45 Food: How Altered? http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/food-how-altered/ 46 GMO food production increasing. http://www.agprofessional.com/agprofessional-magazine/GM-food-production-increasing-169514076.html


eliminate diseases quickly and at a relatively low cost. After the animal has been treated with antibiotics, there must be a “cool-off” period for the drugs to be eliminated from the animal’s body, in order to meet quality standards that are set by the national governments. The use of antibiotics has raised many concerns, including the resistance to antibiotics. Consuming meat treated with antibiotics leads to an immunity to the drug, raising serious concerns when people are prescribed antibiotics for treatment. The drug essentially becomes ineffective, unable to treat patients, and therefore does not fulfill its intended purpose. This leads to more serious concerns in the future, such high-risk surgeries and ineffective infection treatment. Safety There are ethical issues and concerns regarding the production and regulation of GMOs. The biggest concern is the actual safety of consuming GMO products, and if government regulations are strictly enforced to control the circulation of products. Many argue that the consumption of genetically modified organisms can lead to allergic reactions, disease, and in severe cases, death. Another concern is that the genes of the product remains in one’s body for a very long time, and bacteria and viruses can be introduced in the body. Since the 1990s, statistics have shown the effects of GMO products on the development of allergies. In the past 10 years of the introduction of GMOs, the USA alone has experienced a spike in food allergies: 1 in 17 children are allergic to peanuts, and there is an increase of 265% in food allergy related emergency room visits.47 By 2013, the Journal of Pediatrics have reported a staggering 1 out of 12 children have developed food allergies.48 Genetic Diversity With the ability to modify products, engineers and producers are able to produce different organisms that will benefit farmers and production. For example, crops can be programmed to withstand harsh weather conditions and be resistant to pesticides. As a result, crops that were originally very different will show similar traits due to similar modifications applied on the crops. This takes away genetic diversity because crops that were once very different will then hold similar characteristics. Since genes are extracted from one organism to another, it results in the two products becoming similar to one another. Since GMOs can be produced by engineering and using technological strategies, they can easily overtake the existence of current organic and natural products, which may eventually become irreversible. Researchers are continuing to determine if this this issue may become a larger concern, and strategies on how to prevent it. Past UN/International Involvement In February 2004, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced their efforts to improve safety of international trade of genetically modified organisms. This included the attendance of over 1000 observers and delegates to ship bulk shipments of genetically modified foods and feed. They emphasized the labelling of GMO products. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also stepped in with regulation on genetically modified organisms. The WHO Department of Food Safety and Zoonoses focuses on informing national authorities of the importance of labelling and identifying foods as a way of risk management and an oversight strategy. FAO and WHO have partnered up to test current GMO products for allergens, but there has yet to be a report on a GMO related allergic reaction. The United Nations has also commented on their general perspective on genetically modified organisms. They have agreed that the development of GMOs “contribute to enhancing human health and development”,49 but 47 GMO risks. https://gmo-awareness.com/all-about-gmos/gmo-risks/ 48 Ibid. 49 UN risk assessment. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=14723#.WAddnpMrJE4


more evaluations and safety checks must be enforced. Moreover, more factors should be contributed as part of the assessment, such as social, cultural, and religious stances. By doing so, there is no severe “divide” from which regions enforce GMOs and which regions do not. Possible Solutions and Controversies Increased Government Control and Regulation Currently, the production of GMOs is seriously lacking government oversight. This could lead to health, safety, and environmental issues if stricter regulations are not enforced. Often times, GMOs are not labelled, which could either cause no effect on a person’s health, or deathly reactions could occur, leading to significant legal issues. The environmental impacts of GMOs include the increased use of herbicides, which pollute soil and water resources. With tighter government control, these issues can be lessened and GMOs could be used in more effective ways around the globe. More Funding in Research Much of the common concern surrounding GMOs is the safety of consumption. With GMOs still being a new concept, the insufficient research conducted by scientists may cause consumers to be hesitant when buying GMO products. More research information will help government and producers have a better idea of how GMOs should be used and integrated into the food market, as well as settle the minds of customers when looking to purchase GMO products. By conducting more research on GMOs, everyone will have a better understanding on the products, and more safety guidelines can be enforced during the production and distribution processes. Crop Rotation

Figure 5. Diagram of crop rotation plans.

Many member states are very against GMO use, and want to find a completely different alternative. An effective alternative solution to using GMOs would be enforcing crop rotation. The benefits of crop rotation include continued use of land to create maximum yield, seasonal and fresh produce every planting season, and increase


of soil fertility. The arable land would be planted with different types of crops every season, which would slow soil erosion and improve soil quality. This alternative to the use of GMOs can be effective in mitigating food demand due to population growth. Bloc Positions North America and Australia In the United States, GMOs are widely used and accepted by the population, with little to no controversies. As the largest producer of GMOs, the largest global impact is created by the United States of America. Although Canada and Australia produce significantly less than the USA, modern technology and society in these areas allow GMO production to be regulated and safe. In all, North America and Australia have strict rules and laws regarding the production and distribution of genetically modified organisms, and government regulation has been heavily enforced. Latin and South America The Latin American and South American countries are notably the leaders of genetically modified organisms. Vast areas of farmland are dedicated to the production of GMOs, and the “future” of GMOs lay in production from these countries. Larger countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Chile, embrace the technologies available to create new products, and continue to expand their production. Argentina is the country with the most GMO covered land in its country in the world.50 However, not all reception is positive in this region. Ecuador and Peru are two major countries in the region that have rejected the production of GMOs. Ecuador banned the production of genetically modified organisms in its 2008 constitution, and Peru has banned GMOs in the interest of the general public, after several campaigns.51 Another country in Latin America that has taken action to ban GMOs is Costa Rica, where over two-thirds of the products produced are GMO-free. Even Argentina’s thriving GMO production is proving to have setbacks. Health issues and diseases are becoming more prevalent, especially in children and pregnant women in villages and areas where healthcare is not easily accessible. Europe Europe is by far the strictest region with laws and regulations on GMOs. Every nation in the European Union requires any GMOs to be labelled.52 In fact, there is a GMO-free conference held in Europe, where discussions about natural and modified foods take place.53The European Union’s main objective is to protect human health, animal health, and the environment from the result of consuming GMO products. Genetically modified food or feed can only be grown in the European Union after a long process of rigorous inspection and safety assessments. Asia Despite Asia’s massive land mass, less than 8% of the world’s GMO products are produced in Asia. Only three products have gained governmental approval: cotton, corn, and canola. Although there is very little production in Asia, almost every country imports genetically modified crops, and much of it is fed to livestock. Alike

50 GMOs in Latin America. http://lab.org.uk/gmos-in-latin-america 51 Ibid. 52 Europe on GMOs. http://www.nongmoproject.org/gmo-facts/#easy-footnote-bottom-1 53 GMO-Free Conference. http://www.gmo-free-regions.org/past-gmo-free-conferences/gmo-free-europe-2015.html


Europe, the citizens of Asia raise concerns regarding ethics, biosafety, and food safety. Asia is home to countless religions and beliefs in several different countries, all which have a different stance on genetically modified organisms. It is an expectation to see GMOs on the rise in Asia, because of its continuous exponential population growth. Africa Although African nations are not heavy producers of genetically modified organisms, the production and consuming of GMOs can be explored with the purpose of increasing food production and aiding malnutrition. Moreover, South Africa is one of the world’s leading GMO producers, and is by far Africa’s leading producer. GMOs are looking to become more prominent in food production on the African continent, while maintaining strict regulations and quality of products. The growing production of GMOs will assist current dilemmas regarding hunger and lack of food production for the population. Discussion Questions 1) What are the benefits and risks of GMOs? 2) Are GMOs an effective and efficient way of mitigating food scarcity?

3) What regulations can be enforced by governments to ensure safety of GMOs? 4) How does the perception of GMOs affect global food production? 5) Is the use of GMOs cost efficient for developing nations? 6) How can the UN and other NGOs assist in GMO production worldwide? Additional Sources This is the website of the company Monsanto: http://www.monsanto.com/pages/default.aspx This is information on regions without any GMOs: http://www.gmo-free-regions.org/gmo-free-regions.html This contains more information about the environmental impacts of GMOs: http://eap.mcgill.ca/DIAE_1.htm References

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FAO VMUN 2017 Background Guide 1