Ministry takes part in international forest week
World Forest Week is being organised in Rome on 24-28 September. In connection with the event, a session of the FAO Committee on Forestry (COFO) is being held. State Secretary Magnus Kindbom of the Ministry for Rural Affairs is leading the Swedish delegation.
Dacian Ciolos, Ingrid Bäckström and Eskil Erlandsson. Photo: Government Offices of Sweden
Commissioner for agriculture to visit northern Sweden
There are differences in environment, nature and agriculture between the southern and northern areas of Europe. Minister for Rural Affairs Eskil Erlandsson will meet Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Dacian Ciolo in Haparanda on Tuesday 18 September to show the conditions that prevail in northern Sweden.
Minister for Rural Affairs Eskil Erlandsson and Chinese Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu. Photo: Government Offices of Sweden
Trade between Sweden and China facilitated
An agreement to facilitate trade between Sweden and China, enhance safety in agriculture and increase quality in food production was signed by Minister for Rural Affairs Eskil Erlandsson and Chinese Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu today.
José Graziano da Silva and Eskil Erlandson. Photo: Government Offices of Sweden
Eskil Erlandsson to receive FAO Director-General
On Monday 27 August, Minister for Rural Affairs Eskil Erlandsson is to receive José Graziano da Silva, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. Mr Graziano da Silva and Mr Erlandsson will talk about issues including global food security and the consequences of rising food prices. Forestry issues, food wastage and gender equality will also be discussed.
State Secretary Magnus Kindbom is participating in Rio+20
State Secretary Magnus Kindbom is participating in Rio+20, the UN Conference on Sustainable Development arranged in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. On the agenda are such issues as eliminating hunger while simultaneously tackling climate change and creating a sustainable green economy. Sustainable agriculture and forestry, along with global food security, are some of the issues that will be discussed. The conference will be held on 20-22 June.
Russia - continues to be an important partner
State Secretary Magnus Kindbom. Photo: Elima Mwinyipembe
Forests, Swedish food exports and agricultural investments were in focus during a visit to Moscow on 4-6 June. State Secretary Magnus Kindbom led the Swedish delegation, which comprised representatives of the Ministry for Rural Affairs, the Swedish Forest Agency and the Swedish Board of Agriculture.
Eskil Erlandsson visited Canada 2011. Photo: Anna-Karin Nyman
Swedish forestry benefits from cooperation
Minister for Rural Affairs Eskil Erlandsson will participate at the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry seminar 'The transformation of the Canadian forest sector and Swedish experiences' on Monday 28 May. The similarities and differences between the two forest-rich countries will be discussed at the seminar.
Sweden is a world leader in methods for spreading ash on forest land
Photo: Elima Mwinyipembe
Sweden is a world leader in methods for spreading ash on forest land. The Swedish Forest Agency is therefore arranging an international seminar for representatives of government agencies, the forest industry and forest research as well as guests from Estonia and Latvia. Minister for Rural Affairs Eskil Erlandsson will speak about bioenergy and ash recycling on Wednesday May 16.
Women dairy farmers in Tajikistan. Photo: SIDA/Sven Bjerlestam
Fairer conditions for the world's farmers
The Committee on World Food Security (CFS) today endorsed the Voluntary Guidelines on Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests. The CFS is a joint committee consisting of UN bodies and civil society.
"The strength of the Voluntary Guidelines is that they are based on rights and highlight issues important to Sweden, such as rights of ownership and use. This particularly applies to women, who are often the ones who work the land. These issues are important, not least as regards justice, access to food and jobs that provide a chance to break out of poverty," says Minister for Rural Affairs Eskil Erlandsson.
Highlight on school meals
On Monday 26 March, Eskil Erlandsson participated in a round-table discussion on wholesome food and public meals arranged by the Swedish Embassy in Berlin. Germany's Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Ilse Aigner was invited along with several other actors in the area from both Sweden and Germany.
