The relationship between nature conservation, biodiversity and organic agriculture : proceedings of an international workshop held in Vignola, Italy 1999

Biodiversity is increasingly regarded as a resource for rural development and organic agriculture as a production and marketing method that ensures a more productive future for our species and life-support systems. This publication contains the proceedings of a global gathering in May 1999 in Vignola (Italy) to discuss a declaration and action plan for linking together the organic agriculture and nature conservation movements. The role of organic agriculture in conserving biodiversity is not only linked to a substantial reduction of external inputs, it also encompasses agricultural systems that take local soil fertility and the natural capacity of plants, animals and the landscape as a key to successful production. Several experts from around the world describe research projects and case studies that illustrate the close connections between local crops and breeds, the ecological conditions of the area, the creation of new markets and the increasing consumer awareness of healthy products.