How do microplastics affect food safety? In this video, MINAGRS partner Dr Huerta Lwanga of Wageningen University and Research discusses the issue of plastic use in agriculture (fertilizer, compost, mulch, sludge etc.). Microplastics in soil affect soil life and crop growth; these plastic particles can additionally migrate through the soil food chain and eventually into the crops. Huerta Lwanga’s work has found that soil diversity and soil ecosystem services change due to the presence of microplastics. So, what does this mean for the environment and food safety? Watch this video to find out.
During a recent visit to one of our UK case study sites, we spoke with our farmer participant to find out whether they have been experimenting with alternatives to plastic products.
As shown below, they have introduced compostable biomulch to the farm as they were unhappy with the amount of debris left by traditional plastic mulches. Our farmer stated that they would not be able to grow their organic leeks without this mulch.
The below photos show biomulch which will biodegrade more rapidly than plastic mulches. Pictures taken by: Charlotte Chivers
Our kick-off meeting took place in The Netherlands as a hybrid event between 20-23rd September 2021. Each work package presented their overall objectives for the project and we discussed how we will develop our experimental methodologies.