From Food Security to Food Sovereignty. From Food Security to Food Sovereignty: Implications for the EU. Olivier De Schutter. Florence, 22 May 2012

Transcription

1 From Food Security to Food Sovereignty From Food Security to Food Sovereignty: Implications for the EU Olivier De Schutter

2 1. From Food Security to Food Sovereignty The earlier paradigm and its consequences The emerging paradigm and its expected benefits The need for a balanced approach The question of the transition 2. The debate in the EU Policy Coherence for Development The right to adequate food The EU as an exporter of agricultural products The EU as an importer of agricultural products Procedural consequences

3 1. From Food Security to Food Sovereignty : The earlier paradigm and its consequences

4 1. From Food Security to Food Sovereignty : The earlier paradigm and its consequences Import surges (Art. 5 AoA): cases indeveloping countries ( ) - particularly rice (40 %), sugar (40 %), palm oil (36 %), cheese (36 %), wheat (35 %) - Countries affected : Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, Ecuador and Honduras - Ex. rice imports in Ghana, poultry imports in Cameroon or Côte d Ivoire

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6 Evolution du commerce des produits alimentaires pour les PMA (Pays les Moins Avancés) , 1 Années Milliards de dollars , ,

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8 The Emerging Paradigm of Food Sovereignty and its Expected Benefits - Relocalization of food systems - Tools: trade policies ; agricultural policies and support to agricultural producers ; public purchasing programmes - Improved incomes for less competitive farmers - Less competition for natural resources between export-led agriculture and agriculture for local needs - Access to fresh and nutritious foods for urban consumers - Multiplier effects on the local economies - Ecological benefits

9 The Emerging Paradigm of Food Sovereignty and its Expected Benefits 1. The need for a balanced approach Tropical commodities Climate change 2. The question of the transition The short-term v the long-term Organizing the transition : the usefulness of multi-year strategies and monitoring of progress

10 The Emerging Paradigm of Food Sovereignty and its Expected Benefits 1. The need for a balanced approach Tropical commodities Climate change 2. The question of the transition The short-term v the long-term Organizing the transition

11 2. The debate in the EU Policy Coherence for Development The right to adequate food The EU as an exporter of agricultural products The EU as an importer of agricultural products Procedural consequences

12 The EU as an exporter of agricultural products - Less than 2 % of total CAP expenditures will go to export refunds (30 % in 1990, 50 % throughout the 1980s), but still represented 926 million euros in By 2013, 92 % of direct payments to producers will be decoupled from production - But total subsidies still account for 40 % of total farm incomes and dumping rate for cereals was 54.7 % in 2006 The EU as an importer of agricultural products - Imports weaken the position of producers vis-à-vis commodity buyers and retailers - And increase competition for natural resources in developing countries: net food imports of the EU in required 35 million ha (eq. Germany) - Ex. soy imports for feed from Brazil, Argentina, United States: 20 million ha required

13 Procedural consequences The EU as an exporter of agricultural products - Monitor the impacts of EU exports on developing countries markets and supply management schemes to reduce overproduction and dumping - Access to grievance mechanisms for developing countries farmers : a potential role for the European Parliament s Standing Rapporteur on PCD - Economic Partnership Agreements should allow ACP countries to rebuild their agricultural sector, towards a deconcentration of food production The EU as an importer of agricultural products - Revise tariff structures in the EU to favor diversification of developing countries economies - Apply competition law to EU-based agrifood corporations abusing their dominant position in global food chains - Positive incentives to reward imports of agricultural products complying with environmental and social standards (including living wage for farmworkers)