World Soil Day

   The importance of global soil quality is typically overlooked, but it plays a critical role in supporting life on our planet in several ways. First and foremost, soil provides essential nutrients to trees, crops, flowers, and all other plants which could not exist without it. For perspective, soil-based plants serve as the foundation of almost all human food systems, with 95% of our food coming from soils . It is also home to a large, diversified community of creatures that enhance the soil’s structure, recycle vital nutrients , and aid in the management of weeds, plant pests, and diseases . Another crucial factor is that good soil reduces climate change by preserving or even increasing soil organic carbon storage . Furthermore, it filters and cleans our water and helps prevent natural hazards such as flooding.

  This is the fourth version of the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management that FAO’s governing bodies have approved since 1985. It provides a framework that guides government regulators, the private sector, civil society and other stakeholders on best practice in managing pesticides throughout their lifecycle. Its overall structure remains unchanged and covers every aspect of pesticide management from production to disposal. This version, approved by the 38th FAO Conference in June 2013, incorporates public health pesticides and vector control to broaden the scope of the Code of Conduct beyond agricultural pesticides. It gives greater attention to health and environmental aspects of pesticides, updates a number of definitions and terms and aligns guidance in several technical areas with developments in international chemicals management. The new Code comes at a time when greater attention is being focused on increasing food production while conserving and enhancing ...