KUALA LUMPUR听–听厂辞耻迟丑别补蝉迟听础蝉颈补苍听agriculture and forestry听尘颈苍颈蝉迟别谤蝉听have agreed to take collective action to minimize and听别惫别苍迟耻补濒ly eliminate听肠谤辞辫听产耻谤苍颈苍驳听in the region, amid deteriorating air quality and concern about cross-border haze.
In a statement after a meeting of the Association of聽厂辞耻迟丑别补蝉迟听础蝉颈补苍听Nations (ASEAN) in Malaysia, members recognized “the adverse environmental and health impacts of听肠谤辞辫听产耻谤苍颈苍驳听practices,” and听肠辞尘尘颈迟ted to collectively reduce and phase it out.
“The meeting recognized the need for sustainable alternatives to听肠谤辞辫听burning, including the adoption of innovative and environmentally friendly agricultural practices,” it said.
The pledge comes as air quality hit unhealthy levels in several parts of Malaysia in recent days and after weeks of elevated pollution in Indonesia.
Malaysia’s environment minister in an interview with Reuters on Thursday聽聽to take action as air quality worsens, blaming it on fires from听肠谤辞辫听产耻谤苍颈苍驳听in Indonesia.
Almost every dry season, smoke from fires to clear land for palm oil and pulp and paper plantations in Indonesia blankets much of the region, bringing risks to public health and worrying tourist operators and airlines. Many of the companies that own these plantations are foreign or foreign-listed.
Jakarta has denied detecting any smoke drifting over its borders into Malaysia.
The ASEAN meeting agreed to develop and implement educational campaigns and training programs on sustainable agricultural practices, providing technical guidance on alternative methods for land clearing.
“This will require collective efforts, sustained听肠辞尘尘颈迟ment, and collaboration among (ASEAN members) farmers, local communities, and relevant stakeholders,” it said.
The听尘颈苍颈蝉迟别谤蝉听also agreed to review and update existing regulations and guidelines with the aim of phasing out the use of antimicrobials in food production, they said. – Reuters
