Food production cause of natural loss

91 percent of Dutch people do not know that food production is the biggest cause of nature loss worldwide. This is the conclusion of a study published by the World Wildlife Fund on World Food Day (16 October). This awareness is even lower among younger people between 18 and 24 years old in the Netherlands: 10 percent have no idea whatsoever that current food production is damaging biodiversity.

On World Food Day, worldwide attention is paid to food and food security. However, it is still hardly known that food production and food waste are the main causes of loss of plant and animal species. For example, unsustainable agriculture is the main cause of deforestation and the disappearance of habitats for animal species. Also 69 percent of freshwater is used for food production.

Biggest challenges

The research in the Netherlands is part of an international survey. On behalf of WWF, YouGov interviewed a total of 11,000 people in Australia, Brazil, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, Great Britain, the United States and the Netherlands. These countries face the greatest challenges when it comes to nature loss related to the food system. In the Netherlands, 1005 people were surveyed. The results are comparable to the international average.

 "Our wealth of animals and plants in the Netherlands, the biodiversity, is falling rapidly, says Natasja Oerlemans, head of the Food and Agriculture Unit of WWF-Netherlands. "About two thirds of our Dutch landscape, and therefore of our nature, consists of farmland. It is therefore of great importance that we make the transition to an agriculture where healthy food production goes hand in hand with rich nature and an appealing living environment.

www.worldwildlife.org