/n FOOD PRODUCTION AND THE ENVIRONMENT What is a Sustainable Food System □ Sustainable development- development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations Environmental sustainability do not deplete natural resources Protect and conserve soil, air, and water Economic sustainability ■Farmers obtain fair compensation that covers production and well- being ■■ Profitable for industry and generates employment Social sustainability Nutritious food available, accessible, and affordable for all ■ Enhances the quality of life for farmers and workers throughout the system ■Contribute to the vitality of all communities Environmental Sustainability The use of Chemicals Fertilizers are chemicals or natural substances added to soil to increase its ability to provide nutrients to crops and increase production Chemical fertilizers Commonly derived from petroleum with concentrated nitrogen and phosphorus added Excess nutrients run off into storm drains or drainage ditches feed into rivers/streams due to its high concentration and quick release which can kill aquatic plants and other organisms. ■ Promotes the growth of algae which can deprive the surrounding area of oxygen and create dead zones Can also affect drinking water and thus human health The use of Chemicals Continued... Chemical pesticides Used to kill pests that threaten crops Include- Insecticides, fungicides, herbicides Excessive use can affect human health, kill pollinators and beneficial insects, contaminate soil, water, and air, and create pesticide resistance ☐ Sustainable Alternatives to chemical use ■Mechanical controls (tilling soil kills weeds, catching insects in traps) Cultural controls (rotating crops, planting cover crops) Chemical controls (strategic and conservative use of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides/n LAWS AND REGULATIONS . PUBLIC FOOD POLICIES FOODDECLARATION ORG SIGN DECLARATION OUR NATION'S FOOD / IMPROVE AGRICULTURE POLICY Affect how food is produced, processed, distributed, purchased, or recycled in a given jurisdiction Policies in any area can have a powerful influence on what people eat . . How did the Ontario Nutrition policy affect what can be served and sold in schools? How can a policy that lowers social assistance affect food- consumption habits Policies in one area can have effects elsewhere • Changing government health policies around trans fats influence corporate food-manufacturing policies • Policies that encourage soy and grains for biofuel can have negative impacts on consumers -with increasing demand= raising prices = hunger and food insecurity TORONTO FOOD POLICY COUNCIL THE CHANGING NATURE OF FOOD Ontario POLICY Public food policies change to reflect social and environmental conditions OF ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT • Historically, food policies have been made by Ministries of Agriculture and Fisheries with support by Ministries of Health and Social Services Now ministries of trade, Ministries of the Environment, and Competition Authorities also play a role in setting food policy Policies now favour large multinational and transnational corporate agribusiness who have the power to lobby for rules favourable to them Food policy is also now subject to international free-trade Agreements (NAFTA) and world Trade Organizations Agreement on Agriculture which can block a country's own laws and regulations about food and agriculture 1987 Canadian Environmental Law Association EQUITY. JUSTICE. HEALTH. ND NATURAL SOURCES ACTS AND REGULATIONS IN CANADA . http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/acts-and-regulations/list-of- acts-and-regulations/eng/1419029096537/1419029097256 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2984095/ https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product- safety/reports-publications/pesticides-pest-management/fact-sheets- other-resources/pesticides-food.html How might regulations to limit pesticide use affect food production and supply? https://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/science/canada-first-to- declare-bisphenol-a-toxic/article1214889/ What evidence was used to support the government of Canada's decision to reduce the use of bisphenol A in some food packaging?