‘Disastrous’ plastic use in farming threatens food safety – UN
The “disastrous” way in which plastic is used in farming across the world is threatening food safety and potentially human health, according to a report from the UN’s Food and
Agriculture Organization.
It says soils contain more microplastic pollution than the oceans and that there is “irrefutable” evidence of the need for better management of the millions of tonnes of plastics used in the food and farming system each year.
The report recognises the benefits of plastic in producing and protecting food, from irrigation and silage bags to fishing gear and tree guards. But the FAO said the use of plastics had become pervasive and that most were currently single-use and were buried, burned or lost after use. It also warned of a growing demand for agricultural plastics.
There is increasing concern about the microplastics formed as larger plastics are broken down, the report said. Microplastics are consumed by
people and wildlife and some contain toxic additives and can also carry pathogens. Some marine animals are
harmed by eating plastics but little is known about the impact on land animals or people.
Food and Agriculture Organization says most plastics are burned, buried or lost after use
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