Environmental impact of production horticulture

Abstract

Horticultural production is primarily involved in the intensive use of resources, such as land, water, labour and inputs such as fertilisers and pesticides. The use of such resources in a concentrated space and time has the potential to negatively impact on the local environment and worker welfare. In addition the transport of horticultural produce over long distances, particularly by air transport is known to have an impact on the global environment. The first part of the chapter outlines these threats to the environment that intensive horticulture presents and how the understanding of wider issues relating to the environment has developed over recent years. Then the methods of analysing the impact of horticulture on the environment are considered including environmental impact assessments and Life Cycle Assessment. In the second part of the chapter, the methods and strategies that are being used to minimise the effect of production on environmental degradation are considered. This includes legislation and Private Voluntary Standards such as GLOBALGAP that have incorporated environmental standards into their remit. The use of technologies that have been used to mitigate the impact of horticultural production on the environment are highlighted including greenhouse technologies, soil protection and conservation, optimal fertiliser use and Integrated Pest Management. The chapter concludes with a case study that examines the production of cut flowers in Kenya and the associated costs of air freight around the globe.