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According to a new CSIS Report(1), the Obama administration should develop and remain
committed to a long term comprehensive, sustainable, plan of action
– recognizing that it may take many years for significant results to emerge
• The Common Agricultural Policy continues to play a central role in driving Europe’s response
to these challenges
• In the future it must adopt a more progressive role enabling land managers and farmers to:
– maintain and increase agriculture productivity & competitiveness; and
– more efficiently manage natural resources, particularly water(1)
• Whilst reform of CAP is necessary, weakening it would involve in serious risks to both
agriculture & the environment
– CAP must help stabilize farm incomes rewarding farmers for the delivery of public goods
and services which the market does not pay for
• Technology is also key part of the solution but is not the entire story
– western lifestyles must also adapt to reduce impact
(1) Severe water stress in EU river basins likely to increase from 19% today to 35% by 2070
Further Points Raised
– water availability for food security is crucial (1)
– new model demonstrates the possibility to identify – at local level – the key
solutions to water scarcity, attribute a cost to them, and determine the benefits
from making the investment
– going forward, leading countries must also engage to broaden application of the
model
– focus on emergency food assistance and long term food security
– US & EU can produce everything we need; trade & networks are key to food and
water security
– private sector is a key enabler of sustainability because it is crucial to companies
long term viability & growth
– highlighted the role that technology can play in the efficient use and provision of
clean water for multiple uses
• Address ways to sustainably intensify agricultural production through tools, training, and access
to markets
• Understand better the key drivers which can impact on food & water security
– increases in energy (oil) prices drives up the cost of food
– liberalisation in agriculture would reduce water consumption by 10%
• Need to improve communication with general public/ consumers about where food comes from
and how it is produced
Conclusions & next steps
● There are a number of approaches to food & water security which should be
promoted on both sides of the Atlantic including: