| Food security study urges EU to show leadership |
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The report, launched on 30 March in Brussels, stresses the importance of further strengthening technology research and development in the food and farming sector and proposes a number of policy and governance instruments, aimed at enhancing food security. “In high-income countries, food production subsidies and related interventions act as a disincentive to efficient global food production, raise consumer prices in protected countries, and are ultimately harmful to global food security”, the report reads, urging the EU to show "global leadership on subsidy and trade reform issues and strengthen [its] presence in regional and international food security" . According to Beddington, one of only two national chief scientific advisors in the EU, the report “carries a stark warning for both current and future decision-makers on the consequences of inaction” that ultimately reveals the need for food security to “assume a much higher priority in the political agendas across the world”. The report’s findings and suggestions are in line with some of the recommendations put forward in CONCORD’s (European NGO Confederation for Relief and Development) contribution to the Commission’s Consultation for the impact assessment on the “Common Agricultural Policy towards 2020”, submitted in January 2011. “The forthcoming CAP reform is the ultimate test of the EU’s willingness to fulfil its Treaty bound obligations to ensure Policy Coherence for Development (PCD) in all policies affecting developing countries” the contribution document reads. However, whilst the UK government’s report exercises caution when discussing about domestic agriculture and the degree of control developing countries should have, CONCORD has stressed: “The EU should fully comply with the developing countries’ demands to be granted the possibility to define, protect and promote their own agricultural policies in accordance with the needs of their people, those suffering from food insecurity”. Sources:
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In the context of the EU’s current revision of its Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the recent sharp increases in commodity prices, the UK government launched a new report at the end of March, entitled “The Future of Food and Farming: Challenges and choices for global sustainability”. The report presents the most comprehensive food security study to date. Sir John Beddington, chief scientific advisor to the UK government and main author of the report, called upon the EU to show leadership in food security issues.
