India and EU Agree on Joint Initiative to Foster Sustainable Agriculture and Reduce Fertilizer Consumption

India–European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

Key Highlights

The India–European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has been released, outlining the establishment of a committee to oversee cooperation on sustainable food systems. This chapter promotes environment-friendly agricultural practices and aims to reduce the use of fertilisers and pesticides.

Committee Structure

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A committee will be formed to oversee cooperation on sustainable food systems, meeting regularly at expert level. The committee may also form technical working groups or scientific panels to address specialized issues, including food safety and climate resilience.

Sustainable Food Systems

The agreement defines sustainable food systems as those that ensure affordable and nutritious food while minimizing environmental impacts and supporting economic and social wellbeing across generations.

Key Initiatives

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One significant section of the agreement pertains to the use of fertilisers in crop production. The EU Green Deal aims to make agriculture more sustainable by reducing reliance on chemical fertilisers by 20% and pesticides by 50% under the Farm to Fork strategy. Cooperation will extend to areas such as animal welfare, antimicrobial resistance, and the prevention of deceptive practices in food trade.

Key Dates

• February 27: The India–European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was released.

Key Terms

• Sustainable food systems: Promotes environment-friendly agricultural practices and reduces the use of fertilisers and pesticides.
• EU Green Deal: Aims to make agriculture more sustainable by reducing reliance on chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
• Farm to Fork strategy: Aims to reduce reliance on chemical fertilisers and pesticides by 20% and 50%, respectively.