Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-03-12-Speech-2-280"
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"en.20020312.11.2-280"2
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"Mr President, I join with other speakers in complimenting the rapporteur and welcoming his report. The extent to which biodiversity impacts on the lives of all citizens and the quality or otherwise of their lives makes this debate extremely important.
Those of us entrusted with the task of ensuring a future for our past must now act with decisiveness. We must do so, however, in an enlightened and informed way and be prepared to avail ourselves of modern research and technology in achieving this objective. Controversial areas such as biotechnology must, in my view, be part of this equation.
The role of farmers as guarantors of sustainable and quality food supply must be brought more into focus, because we ignore at our peril the fact that agriculture is a commercial activity. The unique role of farmers as environmental managers must also be fully recognised, appreciated and rewarded. In this regard, I ask the House to take serious note of the fact that the profession of farming is in decline. Farmers are getting older and young people are reluctant to take up farming as a career. From a biodiversity viewpoint, the role of farmers and the preservation of family-based farm units are important. They represent an important part of the rural infrastructure. Biodiversity and sustainable development will not happen if they are planned out of the equation.
In short, and in conclusion, we must adopt a practical approach which safeguards biodiversity, while, at the same time, acknowledging the professional and commercial role of farmers."@en1
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