Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

Thank you to the facilitators for raising such interesting questions, as well as to the many insightful commentators. As many important arguments have already been made, I would like to simply add a historic perspective, as well as highlight some aspects I feel have not yet been highlighted.

The salubriousness of international 'free' trade for developing (and often food insecure) nations has been questions by 'experts' within the International Community as early as 1950s, when the GATT economists investigated the 'disturbing elements of agricultural protectionism' (Trends in International Trade, GATT, 1958, also known as the Haberler Report)

The agricultural subsidies of developed countries, that the 'Haberler Report'  identified as pernicious for trade of developing countries have declined since then, e.g. in the European Community from about 70% of the budget (in the 1960s) to around 40% in recent years. Yet the negotiation rounds, such as Uruguay or Doha, have still not allowed for a realignment towards a fairer trade regime in the sector.

Theories which govern world trade, and its arising inequalities, have been contested by a number of internationally respected economist since then as well, e.g. Raúl Prebisch (in the 70s), Joseph Stiglitz and Ha-Joon Chang (recent years), arguing that we should learn from history and allow a' fairer' trading system (also note the excellent resource pointed to by the facilitators: Jennifer Clapp's “Linkages of 'Trade Liberalization and Food Security”, 2014, for an overview on issues of underlying economic theories).

Dumping surplus production as 'food aid' has slowed since its apexes of the1980s, but continued until just recently by the US, e.g. in the West of the DRC, where I was able to see how US AID rice undermined local production as recent as 2013.

Trade liberalizing agreements are not the only culprit undermining food security, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, which is still suffering from the highest prevalence of undernourishment worldwide.

Political will must be examined as well. My experience in the DRC has strengthened this conviction, as well as the need for political stability. Nevertheless, the aforementioned public investment (by other commentators) are direly needed (such as infrastructure, storage facilities, market price information systems, education etc.), and Least Developed Countries, in theory are not hindered by the WTO 10% de minimis clause, yet many LDC countries have not even reached this low threshold. Considering the high percentage of its population relying on agriculture for their livelihoods (and despite the CAADP - Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, initiated by the AU) this development should be questioned from a political will perspective also.  

Understanding and involving local small scale farmers, which will play a vital role for insuring food security (see Olivere De Schuetter for excellent reports on the subject), have been neglected by local and international policy makers and influencers alike (Governments, aid agencies and NGOs etc.)

Second to last I would like to caution against an over-emphasis on production to eradicate food insecurity without acknowledging the effects industrial agriculture has had on the soils as well as biodiversity in countries using a surfeit of chemical pesticides and fertilizers since WWII. Based on FAO reports 1/3 of soils are already 'severely depleted', so to ensure sustainability nature needs a seat at the negotiation table. Furthermore the IPCC (2007) report pointed to the thus far neglected potential for soil carbon sequestration through sustainable farming methods, slowing down climate change. 

Last but not least, I would like to draw attention to the power of consumers of the north, of which I am currently one myself, and know quiet a few personally. Here the vote for certain shapes, colors and prices happen every day, often in favor of fruits and vegetables produced unsustainably. The understanding and importance of the farmer in our societies has almost disappeared, and while the large-scale producers are continued to be supported (mostly due to powerful lobbyism) the small scale farmer is choked and disappeared across Europe and the United States also.

Questioning the currently economic paradigms underlying our free trade regime is important, but I would argue, it is just one of multiple steps we must take to ensure long term food security.