The road to sustainable food production can not only be driven by the choices consumers make in the store.

We are happy to collaborate with LRF and other actors to find solutions to agriculture's major environmental challenges.

Palle Borgström, union chairman for LRF, and Sofia Karlsson, regional chairman for LRF Västra Götaland, responds to our debate article in which we argue for a ban on glyphosate in the EU. We basically agree with LRF in the effort to create a more sustainable agriculture in Sweden and agree with the debaters in several parts. Swedish agriculture usually takes great environmental considerations into account and farmers are more restrictive with chemical pesticides than in many other countries, which is good. Despite this, residues of glyphosate and other chemical pesticides are found in Swedish watercourses. Research shows that the spread of glyphosate in nature poses risks to both humans and the environment.

Reduce dependence on chemicals

For us, this issue is not just about increasing the market share for organic food in Sweden. We need to reduce the chemical dependence of agriculture and preserve the critically endangered biodiversity throughout Europe. Now European farmers have the chance to make a change that can have major positive effects on the environment.

There are already alternatives to using chemical pesticides such as glyphosate; the methods that have been developed in organic farming can be used to advantage in the entire agricultural sector. The fact that we promote and disseminate the long-term solutions that exist in organic farming creates an understanding that makes more consumers choose KRAV-labelled and organic goods in the store.

However, the road to sustainable agriculture cannot be driven solely by the number of consumers who choose one or the other option on the shelf when shopping for food. We look forward to continued dialogue with LRF and other actors on how we can jointly continue to develop new solutions to the major environmental challenges. It is building a market for all farmers in Sweden that takes great environmental consideration.

Anita Falkenek, vd KRAV

Anders Lunneryd, President Ekologiska Lantbrukarna

Charlotte Bladh André, vd Organic Sweden

Footnote: On Monday, the EU decided to extend the state of glyphosate in the EU for another five years.

Photo: Jason Blackeye

Published in Göteborgsposten 2017-11-27