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In 1988, at the Multilateral Trade Negotiations of the Uruguay Round , Group of Negotiation on Goods, Negotiating Group on Agriculture (GATT), Jamaica issued a Communication titled "Elements for a proposal by developing countries" (MTN.GNG/NG5/w/68). As we lead up to the 36th Meeting of the Committee for World Food Security (CFS), and in the push for food sovereignty, the issues and concerns outlined by Jamaica in 1988 remain remarkably the same: the need for horizontal policy measures, valuing agriculture and food production (economically, socially), problems of distribution and inequity in tariffs and subsidies, enhanced support for rural poor and small-holder producers.
Committee on World Food Security The rise in food prices in 2007 through to 2008, followed by the financial crisis in 2009, heightened awareness of food insecurity and propelled political momentum to address a globalised food system that currently leaves an estimated one billion people hungry. Yet, in an increasingly interconnected world, who has the power to decide the global regulations that shape our food systems? Who decides the policies that address food insecurity, how and on what terms?
[caption id="attachment_7" align="alignleft" width="222" caption="Heritage maize for seed      (Pays Basque, 2008)"][/caption] I spend a great deal of time thinking and writing about global agri-food governance and in an attempt to coordinate, synthesise and share these thoughts, I have started this blog. I will be posting regularly on issues linked to the regulation and governance of our food systems. The majority of the posts will be linked to my PhD research but I will also reflect on issues brought up in the courses I am teaching and other activities I participate in.