Agro Ecology

Agro Ecology

In terms of the environment, agriculture has a double role: on one hand, agriculture is the basis for the existence of humanity. Without food - sufficient in quantity and quality - there will be no humanity. In terms of planning - Agriculture is currently causing the effective preservation of open spaces. Also, crops increase the ability to absorb pollutants from the environment, thus preventing desertification processes. On the other hand - agricultural activity holds great potential for causing environmental pollution and causing hazards. Thus, pig and dairy farms effluents, and leachates of fabric houses that are not dealt by modern methods, flow uncontrollably and pollute the underground water. In addition - the overuse of fertilizers for agricultural crops, eventually flow into rivers, causing algae development. And of course, how not - the pesticides. Without pesticides it is not possible today to conduct intensive agriculture for the masses. On the other hand, a massive share of residual pesticides are toxic and cause major damage to humans and the environment. 

In addition to the "classic" issues, there are also newer issues. For example, genetically modified seeds (GMO) being used in agricultural zones designated for growing, are spread by wind and "contaminate" the neighboring plots. After such contamination, the results of which on the natural environment is not clear yet, nearby plots are also polluted with those seeds, and growing crops that are totally clean of such genetically modified seeds becomes impossible. Claims such as intervention in natural processes, increased allergic symptoms and decrease of the nutritional value - are just some of the allegations made against crops based on genetically modified seeds. 

For many years environmental problems related to the agricultural sector were neglected. When the Ministry of the Environment started to examine the implications of the agricultural sector and the requirements of agricultural activities, it emerged that for dealing with agricultural activities, there is already an extensive system of legislation and other normative provisions that regulate the complex diversity of agricultural implications in the agricultural sector. For example, conditions of a business license are required for agricultural business management, permits for toxins are required for holding insecticides, etc. One of the most important environmental reforms made in the field of agro-ecology, resulted in a substantial change of the infrastructure and conduct of dairy farms, and significantly reduced the pollution generated by cowsheds and similar facilities to the environment. 

The policy of the Ministry of the Environment (as reflected numerous criminal proceedings filed) is to broaden the base of law enforcement and to implement the environmental provisions onto the agricultural activity. We are very familiar with the requirements of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the permits and licenses required for agriculture, and we can help you navigate your way through the world of environmental law. Also, we will assist in you to find the proper balance between the demands of environmental authorities and your legitimate needs and economic capability.