Health Oriented, Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture Policies: A Key Intervention for a Healthy Future

Abstract

ISEE-692 Objective: Agricultural policies influence a number of important issues related to health and environment, including: Food security, safety and nutrition Tobacco and alcohol consumption Biomass production Environmental health This paper aims to provide a framework for the development of sustainable agriculture policies that have beneficial impacts into health and the environment. Materials and Methods: A review of the existing literature on the agriculture policies’ impacts on health and the environment has been performed in several databases including PubMed, AGRICOLA, BIOSIS, EU, and FAO Catalog. Other material has been collected via contacts in several universities, policy analysis centers, and NGOs. Results: Many tobacco producing countries provide subsidies and price support to tobacco farmers. The cultivation of tobacco has negative impacts for consumers’ and farmers’ health, rural local economies, and the environment. Intensive dairy production systems have been reported to promote the consumption of saturated fats and to negatively impact the environment. Still the dairy sector is one of the most subsidized in developed countries. Agriculture policies in the Americas have been directed toward driving down the prices of corn and soy beans. This policy contributes to obesity and has negative impacts to farming communities and the environment. Although WHO recommends increased intake of fruits and vegetables to lower the disease burden, these sectors have very little governmental support and risk management in most countries. Biomass production as source of renewable energy has the potential to address environmental problems ranging from desertification to climate change and to contribute economic growth in developing countries. Conclusions: Structural elements in some agriculture sectors have been reported to be in conflict with public health, farmers’ interests and to negatively impact the environment. Sustainable development of public health-oriented, environmentally friendly agriculture policies is a key intervention for a global healthy future.