New farmlands offer bright green future
Regional, Environment, 2/28/2002

Environmental, or "green", concerns are one of the main obstacles faced by developing nations in their efforts to export both agricultural and industrial products. The green question, unofficially defined as "grey protection", gives developed nations licence to restrict imports from undeveloped countries in which they suspect environmental issues are not properly considered.

Experts are calling for the production of environment-friendly products, created in accordance with environmental laws, in order that they will find international markets.

This includes the cultivation of organic (grown without the use of artificial fertilisers, insecticides etc.) fruit and vegetables in the new agricultural lands of Toshka and Sinai for export to European countries.

A report by the Federation of Industries states that Egyptian industry must make efforts to meet the internationally accepted environmental criteria which have been adopted by developed nations in recent years, in order to increase its competitiveness in foreign markets.

Furthermore, the 14000 ISO criteria demands that materials used in industry should comply with environmental guidelines.

While recognising the challenges faced, the report stresses that this is a great opportunity for Egyptian industry, which, by making a wholehearted commitment to environmental issues, could make a great step forward in competing with international markets.

The report also recommends that funding should be provided for training and the exchange of information between local authorities, industries, and new technologies, in order to control pollution of the environment.

It suggests that soft-loans and grants be made available to industrial foundations to cover the costs of adjusting to Law No.4 1994 concerning environmental conservation.

The report goes on to advise that the planning of new cities should take into consideration the need for environmentally friendly industrial drainage and treatment and offer financial incentives for companies that work to restrict pollution.

Another report, released by the Egyptian Association for Agricultural Economy, shows that the European preference for organically produced and stored agricultural products should dictate the target export market for the Ministry of Agriculture's projects in the newly reclaimed lands in Toshka, Sinai and Sharq el-Ewinat.

The report says that fresh fruit and vegetables, such as potatoes, are of a sufficiently high standard for export provided that the technological standards demanded by the European market, which represents 38 per cent of Egyptian food exports, are adhered to.

Professor of Genetic Engineering at the Agriculture Researches Centre Mohamed Salama emphasised the necessity of taking the environment into consideration regarding agriculture.

"It has become a vital issue and is a window of opportunity for agricultural trade. Many countries around the world have banned the use of insecticides and have sought out no-risk, safe alternatives through the adoption of biotechnology and the cultivation of environmentally friendly products," he told el-Ahrar newspaper.

"Egypt can take advantage of the trend especially within the new agricultural opportunities afforded by developments in Toshka, Sinai and Sharq el-Ewinat.

The products of these new lands will be clear of pollutants and will accordingly find their way easily onto foreign markets.

Salama added that Israel has managed to produce genetically-engineered cottons in natural colours without using artificial dyes.

"There must be constant co-operation between research centres and agriculture producers to exploit the technological developments in genetic engineering to produce safe crops that can compete on the world market," he said.

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