Biopolicy, Vol.1 Paper 4 (PY96004) December 12th 1996
Online Journal, URL:http://www.bdt.org.br/bioline/py
SAVING "WILD" FOOD: notes on issues needing policy
development
Received October 21st 1996
Accepted December 10th 1996
Margaret I. Evans
Code Number: PY96004
Size of Files:
Text: 41K
Graphics: No associated graphics files
^1 Research Associate of the French CNRS UMR 9935
Anthropologie et Ecologie de l'Alimentation, and project
leader for the "in-situ conservation of wild food species",
funded by the Darwin Initiative of the UK.
SUMMARY
The paper first outlines the importance of food species which
are "intrinsically wild", and justifies the urgency of the
need for effective conservation policies to save them. Ten
separate issues recommended for consideration by policy makers
in this field are pinpointed in note form, ranging from the
dietary benefits of using wild food and the threats they can
bring, to ethical issues including the need for standards for
the humane treatment of these species. As well as drawing the
attention of scientific policy makers to the urgency for
action in this field, it aims to provoke awareness of the
dangers of assuming that the western values-system should be
taken as the "default mechanism" in conservation policy
development. The important contributions which have been made
by many individuals, and by both public and private
organizations, from western cultures, are however
acknowledged. Recommendations for debate and action are
proposed alongside each issue raised, and consultative
feedback, from "key stakeholders", is advocated.
Key words: food security; nature conservation policy;
wild food; GPA FAO CBD; agricultural diversity; farmers'
rights; indigenous peoples' rights
Copyright remains with the author.
Published by Bioline Publications
Editorial office: biopol@biostrat.demon.co.uk
