EESC: Voedselveiligheid is fundamenteel mensenrecht (en)
Food security is a fundamental human right, says the EESC
The EESC considers global food security to be a fundamental human right; this is also true of civil society's right to intervene in all aspects of food security. This is the main conclusion of the thematic debate held at the EESC plenary session, which led to the adoption of the opinion on "Trade and Food Security" and where the EESC discussed strategies to guarantee food security with Mr Jacques Diouf, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Mr Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, and Mr Stephen Muchiri, Chief Executive of the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF).
Mr Diouf stressed the importance of civil society organisations, which bring the rural world's concerns to the attention of politicians, while Mr De Schutter pointed out that states should avoid excessive dependence on international trade in pursuit of food security and should place the emphasis on small-scale farmers. Mr Muchiri pleaded for a stronger role for small producers in developing countries and better integration of regional markets.
This exploratory opinion was requested by the Commission and put together by the EESC's External Relations Section. In its main recommendations, the EESC addresses three aspects. Firstly, concerning the global political approach, the EESC recommends that the EU implement the European Consensus on Development that it has adopted, so as to make the EU a key partner in the reform of the system that binds the FAO, the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
Secondly, regarding current negotiations on the economic partnership with the ACP countries (African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States), it would be helpful if the EU could promote greater regional integration, especially in Africa, as this is an essential element of the revision of the Cotonou Agreement planned for 2010. Thirdly, regarding the current Doha Development Round, the opinion points out that fresh impetus should be given to the debate on how future agricultural trade talks should be conducted, the need to give specific attention to food security and the shape of future technical assistance to developing countries.
"It is appalling that, at the beginning of the third millennium, the world produces enough food to feed everyone but over a billion people don't have access to enough food," said rapporteur Mr Campli (Group III, Various Interests, Italy). "The two key words on food security," highlighted co-rapporteur Mr Peel (Group I, Employers, United Kingdom), "are trade and development or, rather, the fight against poverty, which concerns income and thus the capacity to access products. In other words, it is only through complementary development policies aimed at reducing poverty and increasing income, not least as part of the development of regional markets, that regulated trade can help to bring people out of food insecurity".
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