Plant Diversity Challenge - Plantlife

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Objective 3: Using Plant Diversity SustainablyTarget 12:Managing plants productssustainablyOngoing actions contributing tomeeting target• Implementing the Biodiversity Strategies inEngland and Scotland and acting throughthe UK Biodiversity Partnership• Implementing Sustainable DevelopmentStrategies in England, Scotland and Walesand UK level• Developing and implementing sectoralplans, e.g. UK Forestry Standard, countryforestry strategies, Organic Action Plans• Demonstrating best practice for example,by LEAF (Linking Environment & Farming)• Extending voluntary schemes such as theGood Bulb Guide and Soundwood Guide• Continuing chain of custody and originidentification through voluntary schemesand FSC chain of custody policies• Responding to CAP reform, which offerspotential for cross-compliance toincorporate biodiversity prioritiesHigh priority additional work• Integrating existing UK biodiversity andsustainable development initiatives• Raising consumer awareness and increasingdemand for sustainably-sourced products• Implementing the Strategic EnvironmentAssessment Directive to integratebiodiversity and sustainable development atall levels of decision makingLower priority or long-term additionalwork• Improving chain of custody-tracing toidentify where production is unsustainableand considering, where necessary, theintroduction of new certification schemesfor certain sectors30 per cent of plant-based products derived fromsources that are sustainably managed.ScopePlants and their derivatives provide a range of products including amongst otherthings fuel, food, shelter, clothing and medicines. By 2010, 30% of all plant-basedproducts used and produced in the UK need to be sourced from sustainablymanaged systems, including not only plant products produced here but also importedproducts. Sustainable management of these systems relates to environmental as wellas social issues, including fair trade, equitable sharing of benefits and participation ofindigenous and local communities.Target 12 therefore should be consideredalongside targets 3, 6, 11 and 13 in terms of production lands, trade, ecologicalservices and sustainable livelihoods.Current situationCertification schemes are designed to ensure sustainable management practices andthey currently exist for:• organic farming (726,400 ha, approximately 4% of UK farmed land, seewww.soilassociation.org);• forestry (there are 273 companies registered by the Forest Stewardship Council(FSC) and 1,154,835 ha 2 or 38% of total forest cover of UK forest production landis FSC-certified for operations and management, see www.fsc-uk.org);• non-timber forest products (two companies are FSC certified on non-timber forestproducts, see www.fsc-uk.org);• Fairtrade products sold (£63 million retail value in 2002, see www.fairtrade.org.uk).Commitments to other UK strategies also work towards achieving or exceedingtarget 12. For example, the UK Forest Partnership for Action has set a target of 80%of all UK forest products to be sourced from woodlands certified through the UKWoodland Assurance Scheme by 2010. In addition, the sectoral plans devised as partof the Country Biodiversity Strategies will ensure that social and economicdevelopment is environmentally sustainable.Voluntary schemes are also in place, some of which require suppliers to specify plantstock origin for example Horticultural Trade Association national plant specificationscheme, Forestry Commission Voluntary Scheme and Flora locale code of practice.Other initiatives, run by, for example Fauna & Flora International, offer guidance toconsumers and suppliers on a selection of sustainably managed products.36
Looking to the futureThere are a number of significant challenges for achieving target 12, not least theneed to meet the requirements of the target whilst adhering to existing internationaltrade agreements.The emerging biodiversity strategies and the evolving role of theUK Biodiversity Partnership do however have potential to integrate existing UKbiodiversity and sustainable development initiatives. Current and future consultationson reform of the Common Agriculture Policy offer opportunities to ensure thatenvironmentally sustainable management is included in cross-compliance conditions.Moreover raising consumer awareness and increasing demand is an immediatepriority, targeted through public education programmes and publicising examples ofgood practice.STEVE AUSTIN/WOODFALL WILD IMAGESDAVID WOODFALL/WOODFALL WILD IMAGESCoppicing is the art of cutting of trees andshrubs to ground level allowing vigorousregrowth and a sustainable supply of timberfor future generations.Bogbean Menyanthes trifoliata is used as aherbal remedy to treat rheumatism and skincomplaints.37
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