Santiago, Chile- The declaration of the XXI Specialized Meeting on Family Farming of MERCOSUR (REAF, in Spanish) held last week in Argentina, acknowledged the advances promoted by FAO’s Director General, José Graziano da Silva.

The Specialized Meeting on Family Farming, REAF, is the instance through which MERCOSUR countries support the development of family farming by strengthening public policy.

The final declaration of the XXI REAF, attended by government representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela, Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador, highlights the approval of FAO’s new Strategic Framework, its spearheading of the International Year of Family Farming 2014, the strengthening of its regional structures and the impetus FAO has given to South-South cooperation.

"The REAF also recognizes FAO’s contribution to the advances made by the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean in promoting food and nutrition security and the strengthening of policies for family farming," the REAF declaration said.

The XXI REAF also highlighted the progress made during FAO’s 33rd Regional Conference, during which the organization set family farming as a priority in its agenda through the regional initiative "Family farming and territorial rural development," a clear demonstration of the convergence between REAF’s and FAO’s agendas.

The REAF confirmed its willingness to expand dialogue with FAO for the implementation of regional initiatives and South-South cooperation.

Public procurement for products of family farming

The Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries of Argentina, Carlos Casamiquela, stressed the importance of family farming in the fight against hunger, "65% of Argentina's agricultural producers are family farmers and are able to produce 20% of gross agricultural product in addition to ensuring food security", he said during REAF.

MERCOSUR countries discussed the proposal made by the Brazilian delegation regarding the creation of special brands to identify the products of family farming, based on that country’s experience, as a way to generate consumer awareness and promote their trade.

Encouraging public procurement programs for family farming was another issue discussed during REAF, which analyzed the experiences of Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela, plus a management model presented by Uruguay, which in this country has resulted in legislation that seeks to establish a state food reserve based on input from family farming and small scale-fishing.

Ministers and authorities signed a declaration on public procurement policies and marketing of family and peasant agriculture, through which they proposed actions to develop regional trade, and share experiences on supply, value appropriation and fair prices for consumers, ensuring food security.

The incorporation of Venezuela, Bolivia and Ecuador to REAF was another issue discussed at the meeting of the REAF, which counted with the participation of the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock of Paraguay, Jorge Gattini; Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of Ecuador, Javier Ponce Cevallos; and the Ministry of Rural Development and Family Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of Argentina, Ms. Carla Campos Bilbao.

Working together with the Parliamentary Front against Hunger

The REAF meeting was also attended by representatives of the Parliamentary Front Against Hunger, FPH, which brings together parliamentarians from across the region to promote the right to food through legislative initiatives.

FPH members expressed their willingness to collaborate with FAO-REAF to promote political dialogue and formulate a Framework Law on Family Farming in the Latin American Parliament, PARLATINO.

Broad participation of social movements

During REAF,  the meeting of social organizations and movements of family farming in Mercosur was also held, which included broad participation, including representatives from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela.

This is a permanent space within the REAF, which allows joint proposals to advance the family farming agenda in the region.

The declaration of the social movements emphasized the importance of promoting access to land and the harmonization of the laws relating to family farming, taking into account the realities of the indigenous, native, peasant and artisan producers.