Integrated Farm Management: Principles and Progress of Good Agricultural Practice

Keywords: Integrated farming, Good agricultural practice, LEAF, EISA, Sustainable farming, Sustainable consumption.

Summary:

This paper highlights the work of EISA (European Initiative for Sustainable Development in Agriculture) in providing practical solutions for farmers and the food industry in order to address sustainable production and consumption. In particular the paper focuses on the development of integrated farming across Europe, on why EISA was set up, on its infrastructure and how it works with farmers, environmentalists, consumers and the food sector. The paper also highlights some of the opportunities that integrated farming offers the European Commission and national governments through the adoption of integrated farming as a framework to support and deliver their priorities. It also shows how EISA has set about focusing the importance of a balance between the four pillars of sustainability — economic viability, environmental health, social acceptance and political infrastructure.

Caroline J Drummond, EISA, Brussels. c/o Av. Sainte Anne 12, B-1160 Brussels, Belgium and LEAF, NAC, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire CV8 2LZ, UK.

28 pages, 7 figures, 2 tables.