The motion was previously approved by unanimity in the 
Chambers of Deputy

After being approved by unanimity, with 363 votes in favor, no votes against and no abstentions; the “Draft Law on the Right to Adequate Food” has been sent to the upper chamber to be discussed in coming months. The draft became the first bill of national scope in this matter approved by a legislative branch in Mexico, an important step towards the regulation of the right to adequate food, enshrined in the Constitution since 2012.

The Draft on the Right to Food establishes specific measures to ensure that public institutions respond in a timely and effective manner to the needs of all Mexican citizens, without distinction, to food and nutrition security. For that purpose, the law provides the creation of an Intersectoral Board on the Right to Food, a National Council with social participation and a National Plan on Food and Nutrition Security.

The President of the Human Rights Committee of the Chamber of Deputies, Congressman Heriberto Galindo remarked that the broad commitment the bill achieved demonstrates that it is possible to reach national agreements on key issues for the social progress of Mexico; “with political will we can reach broad commitments to respond to the pressing needs of Mexican people”, he said.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) welcomes the advance of the Draft Law on the Right to Food in Mexico. The FAO Representation in Mexico is currently working together with government institutions, such as the Ministry of Social Development, as well as the Legislative Branch, on a common agenda to facilitate the debate, approval and implementation of the law.

The Draft Law emerged from the national chapter of the Parliamentary Front against Hunger, a network of congress members of all over Latin America and the Caribbean Region who work to place on the top level of the political agenda the right to adequate food, promoting legal frameworks and adequate funding for food security and nutrition.