Scientific Advisory Board on Biodiversity and Genetic Resources submits statements to the BMEL

At the end of its sixth term of office, the Scientific Advisory Council on Biodiversity and Genetic Resources (Wissenschaftliche Beirat für Biodiversität und Genetische Ressourcen, WBBGR) presented three current statements with key recommendations on biodiversity, agriculture and climate protection to the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft, BMEL) in Berlin on 25 February. As lead author, Prof Dr Inga Schleip from the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) presented the statement "Considering biodiversity in climate-friendly peatland management".

In the statement, the scientists emphasise the importance of sustainable management of peatlands for climate protection and biodiversity. Prof Dr Schleip emphasises: "If we want to raise the water levels in peatlands in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we must simultaneously and from the outset consider solutions for the biodiversity-promoting management of these areas. Then we can combine climate protection, biodiversity and agriculture."

In addition to this statement, two further recommendations were presented:

• "Biodiversity in agricultural plant production: a prerequisite for plant protection, climate protection and productivity"
• "Consider the side effects of taxation of meat products on biodiversity!"

The first statement deals with expanding the understanding of the services provided by agricultural systems to include contributions to climate protection and biodiversity in addition to the primary production of food. The ecological functionality of agricultural systems forms the basis for agricultural production and the resilience of agricultural systems.

The statement on the side effects of taxation on meat products addresses the hitherto little-discussed impact of taxation on biodiversity in agricultural landscapes.

Parliamentary State Secretary Dr Ophelia Nick emphasised on the occasion of the handover of the statements: "The preservation of biodiversity is crucial for future food security. A high level of biodiversity contributes significantly to sustainable agriculture and is therefore central to climate protection. Strengthening biodiversity and harmonising it with sustainable production is one of our most important tasks. The voice of science points the way for our political decisions. I would like to thank the Advisory Board for its valuable work and for always focussing on the scientific aspects of current issues. And I am looking forward to the results of the WBBGR's work in the next term of office."

The statements are available for download on the WBBGR website.

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