On Fri, 28 Dec 2007 16:39:37 +0000, Gavin Ramsay <[log in to unmask]> wrote:


Can current agricultural systems be maintained indefinitely?  To take a very long view it is not 
sustainable to do any of the following:

- practices that add persistent farm chemicals or soil particles to run off or groundwater
- practices that use up mineral fertilisers
- practices that do not return nutrients from wastes in the processing chain (including human 
consumption) to the land
- use energy other than energy from renewables in its operations




 I would add that spreading disease and non-native pests or genetics would not be adding to the 
future longevtity of an agricultural process. 

Being unable to maintain your "livestock" by needing packages,nucs or hives each year also would 
be indicative of a non-sustainable operation. 

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