Desertification can lead to reduced food production
The European Court of Auditors (ECA) is conducting an audit to check whether the risk of desertification in the EU is being effectively and efficiently combated. Research indicates that up to 44% of Spain runs a great risk of soil erosion.
“Desertification can lead in food production reduction, soil infertility, a decline in the soil’s ability to adapt naturally and its ability to store carbon”, Phil Wynn Owen, member of the ECA, says.
This Court is carrying out an audit of the EU’s strategic framework to check whether the risk of desertification in the EU is being effectively and efficiently combated.
So far, thirteen Member States have declared themselves before the United Nations Convention for Combat Desertification (UNCCD) as affected by desertification: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. The auditors will visit five of them (Romania, Cyprus, Italia, Spain and Portugal).
Research indicates that up to 44% of Spain, 33% of Portugal and 20% of Greece are at great risk of soil erosion.
The publication of the report is scheduled for the end of 2018.
Source: agropopular.com