Food security must take centre stage in development efforts

Food security needs to be at the core of global efforts to address a range of multiple crises, including soaring inflation and climate change. That was the message from speakers representing FAO, EU institutions and academia during the event “The future of ensuring food security in the EU”, hosted by the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

In his presentation, FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero emphasized the role of the EU in safeguarding global food security and in maintaining sustainable and healthy agrifood systems.

Jiří Šír, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Czech Republic, highlighted the EU’s leading role in importing and exporting food worldwide. He also stressed the need for the EU and its Member States to ensure that fertilizers are available to farmers, if food security is not to be compromised.

High inflation level poses challenges of increased food prices for low- and medium-income families, said Carmen Naranjo Sanchez, Head of Unit of DG AGRI. She reminded the audience of the EU’s responsibility to provide relief to third-party countries and assist them on issues of food supply and security.

Lukáš Víšek, Member of Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans, highlighted biodiversity loss and climate change as key factors affecting food security. Reducing emissions from land-use and agriculture will be one of the pathways to global sustainable development, he said.

Other speakers included Martin Hlaváček, Member of the European Parliament and of the European Parliamentary Alliance Against Hunger and Malnutrition, of which FAO Brussels is the Secretariat, MEP Michaela Sojdrová and MEP Veronika Vrecionová, as well as members of academic institutions.