Preface
This publication reports on research that investigated the linkages between on-farm Quality Assurance/Environmental Management Systems and the achievement of sustainable agriculture and sustainable land management.
On-farm Quality Assurance and Environmental Management Systems (QA/EMS) provide the means of reliably demonstrating product quality, and production and process systems. Such systems usually seek to link consumer/ market preferences to farmer/grower management of their land, animals and products. The advantage of credible QA/EM systems is that the market signals from consumer to farmer/grower are transmitted more clearly than would otherwise be the case. They also have potential as a vehicle for meeting community expectations of producers with regard to the impact of production activities on the environment. This research investigates the extent to which QA/EM systems influence the achievement of the economic and biophysical components of sustainable agriculture and sustainable land management.
The research was funded by the MAF/MfE Green Package - Sustainable Land Management Best Management Practices Work Programme. The Work Programme is intended to provide impetus to the achievement of the land and water resources goals of Environment 2010, that are more explicitly established through the New Zealand Sustainable Land Management Strategy. Project activity is directed towards providing individual land managers, and their advisers, with better tools and information to support, and refine, their management decisions. This evaluation will provide the basis from which future work programmes and project initiatives can be considered. The research also identifies ongoing policy, research and information needs related specifically to the Best Management Practices Work Programme.
The research makes it clear that on-farm QA/EMS hold considerable potential for achieving sustainable outcomes, and suggests some priorities for government action to develop this potential. While not all these priorities are within the sphere of central government roles, they provide challenges which the sector could usefully address.
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