Powerful forces act against the development of sustainable agriculture. Short-term political and economic goals, international trade liberalization and the continuing concentration of financing, agricultural trade and food processing have caused depopulated rural areas and urban slums worldwide. Hunger and malnutrition are growing even in the industrialized countries. Our resources are still being depleted and the protection of our natural environment is still considered to be in conflict with economic goals. This must not be so.

Sustainable agriculture must be based on a mutual understanding with our society: farmers have an obligation to society as providers of safe and nutritious food products and as the stewards of soil, water, air and natural landscapes; society in return will have to accept the role of enabling farmers to fulfil their obligations by providing safeguards against the loss of incomes below an acceptable level and the eviction from their farms and homes.

Governments have let it happen that the control over the most basic needs of the people, has been surrendered to an increasing degree to transnational companies. The undemocratising of this essential control is the central element of rural depopulation, urban slums and food related problems.

To regain this control on local and regional levels forms the foundation of the National Farmers Union Policy on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Supply.

It is a document of hope and optimism in the future.

1. Economic Considerations
2. Ecological Considerations
3. Intellectual Property Rights and Genetic Engineering
4. Food Security, Safety and Quality
5. Rural Communities
6. Marketing, Trade and International Relations
7. Research and Education

Economic Considerations

• recognition of economics as cause and effect of social behavior and actions
• working toward an economic system with emphasis on humanity
• development of economically viable alternatives in agriculture
• broaden the scope from farming to rural development.

• promotion of known and development of new alternative farming methods and technologies aimed at the improvement of the quality of soil, water and air which are economically viable and sustainable
• protection of ecologically sensitive areas
• encouragement of forest belts, shelterbelts, and small areas protected from cultivation
• permanent cover on erosion prone soils
• increased planting and improved maintenance of woodlots
• encouragement of agro-forestry
• encouragement to use known development of new alternative sources of energy use of more energy efficient farming methods, food processing techniques, and modes of transportation

• the technologies of genetic engineering must be subject to complete public control
• the results of genetic engineering must remain in the public domain
• recognition that all forms of life and that all components of life and living systems must remain in the public domain
• recognition of the delicate balance of natural systems and the dangers of upsetting these systems by manipulating parts of it
• identification of primary food products which are derived directly or indirectly through gene manipulation

• accepting society's right and need for safe and nutritious food in adequate quantities
• the need of primary producer's just share of the consumer's food expenses to recover the cost of production and an adequate profit margin
• promotion of food processing which does not reduce the value of the primary food source
• promotion of local and regional food processing and consumption
• promotion of the use of wholesome basic food stuff as a means of preventing health problems and reducing public and private health costs
• reconnecting farmers and consumers to increase awareness and understanding of the major issues concerning food, health and the natural environment
• decreasing the geographic distances of food transportation
• proper label identification of food sources, processes, materials and manipulations used in primary food production and processing

• determination of the social, economic and ecological impact of growing urban areas and depopulating rural communities
• revitalization of rural areas by using a holistic problem solving approach
• promotion of the concept of the family farm
• limiting the access to farmland to Canadian citizens and permanent residents
• regionalized limitations of the size of livestock operations
• advocating of larger numbers of active farmers by promoting reduced farm size considering regional and sectoral formulas and capping of public funding
• development of a land tenure system based on the principles of private ownership by a maximum number of active farmers; this must not exclude new or different forms of ownership, ie. co-operatives or landbanks
• development of policies and organizational structures aimed at farm transfers from generation to generation without putting the economic and ecological viability of the farm at risk
• development of policies and organizational structure aimed at easier entrance into farming by new farmers
• building networks and improved co-operation with farm and non-farm groups which share similar views on sustainability
• strengthening the role of women and improving their security on all levels of the agri-food system

• recognition of every nation's right and responsibility to define its own agricultural policies
• recognition of every nation's need for national standards in food safety, health and nutrition, as well as cultural and environmental protection
• measures to improve the market positions of farmers
• development of a clear understanding and promotion of the implications of global trade in food and agricultural products on the economic, ecological and social conditions in all countries
• working toward trade practices aimed at maximum environmental and social protection to achieve sustainable development in accordance with the recommendations of the Brundtland Commission and UN declarations on the environment and human rights

• using a holistic or system approach to farming in practice, education and research by determining its future role in the development of humanity and the natural environment
• increasing public funding into research of alternative farming methods, practices and crops
• increased public funding of plant breeding with emphasis on species and varieties suited for regions outside Canada's main farming areas
• shifting the emphasis of agricultural education from academic-theoretical to academic-practical
• increased producer's input into research and education; expansion of on-farm research and applied research in conjunction with extension and educational programs
• improving the ways and means of transforming knowledge and information from the sphere of science and education into practical application
• increasing awareness and understanding of truly sustainable farming methods and practices
• acceptance of alternative farming methods as equally important in public education and research