Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement (Jan 1997)
Mesures d'incitation en faveur de la conservation de la diversité génétique en matière agricole. 1. Programmes agricoles pour la conservation de la biodiversité en Belgique
Abstract
Incitation measures in favour of a conservation of genetic diversity for agricultural matters. 1. Agricultural programmes for the conservation of biodiversity in Belgium.Some negative consequences of an intensive agriculture on the environment are in contradiction with the commitments taken, by Belgium among others, at the signature of the Convention on Biodiversity at Rio in 1992. The action plan relative to biodiversity conservation in Belgium tomes as a follow-up of the European Union's policy but also integrates actions initiated at local levels of power such as communes. The Belgian agro-environmental programme (based on EEC regulation 2078/92) includes several parts concerning the Federal Authority, the Regions and the Communities. Federal help measures have been applied for the entire territory with as main objective an extensification of agriculture. These measures are of three types: reconversion to organic farming, a decrease in animal density, and demonstration projects. The Walloon and Flemish Regions have established their own specific agro-environmental programmes which are reviewed here. Through education, the Communities are also concerned by these incentive measures. Nevertheless, in the southern part of Belgium, it is the Walloon Region and not the French Community that will undertake to develop some demonstration projects concerning production practices compatible with environmental protection. Comparable projects will be ran by the Flemish Community, which is also planning to organize specific lectures and training courses on environment. At the municipal level, numerous actions aiming at sustainable agriculture have been initiated: the biodiversity contracta of the "Fondation Roi Baudouin", the operation "1 000 communes pour l'environnement européen" and the "plans communaux de développement de la nature".
