sustainable agriculture

The desired relationship between agriculture and environment can be captured by the term 'sustainable agriculture'. The 5th environmental action programme refers to sustainable development as 'development, which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs'. Sustainable agriculture entails the management of natural resources in a way, which ensures that the benefits are also available in the future. A broader understanding of sustainability extends to the protection of landscapes, habitats, and biodiversity, and to overall objectives such as the quality of drinking water and air.