Rising Food Prices: an opportunity for change?

1. Rising Food Prices: an opportunity for change? Opportunities and Challenges European food security group Brussels Rural Development Briefings

2. This presentation • Food prices crisis • EFSG statement • Challenges: trade and agriculture • Opportunities: Right to Food Brussels Rural Development Briefings

3. EFSG Statement • Review of other papers • Analysis of proposed actions • Challenges • Governance of aid • Trade policies • Agricultural policies Brussels Rural Development Briefings

4. CHALLENGES • Boost to smallholders agriculture • new green revolution? • biologically agro-ecological agriculture? • Programmes designed in collaboration with farmers’ organisations Brussels Rural Development Briefings

5. CHALLENGES • Trade policies • Liberalisation? • Protection of own (agricultural) sector Is quick liberalisation compatible with increased agricultural production by small farmers?? Brussels Rural Development Briefings

6. CHALLENGES • Trade policies • Bolivia example • Cameroon, chicken case Countries need protection in order to strengthen their own production sectors Brussels Rural Development Briefings

7. CHALLENGES Yes, there is protection, is this enough? Brussels Rural Development Briefings

8. Brussels Rural Development Briefings

9. CHALLENGES We need to ensure sufficient policy space in countries to decided on their own food security strategies Both intensification of small holders agriculture and sufficient border protection are needed Brussels Rural Development Briefings

10. OPPORTUNITIES • Food prices crisis: • Brings people together to tackle the crisis and protect the vulnerables • Start of a new food system? • Right to food should be central Brussels Rural Development Briefings

11. OPPORTUNITIES Every man, woman, child has the right to adequate food World Food Day 2008 Launch of Richt to Food Watch Brussels Rural Development Briefings

12. Thank you for your attention Brussels Rural Development Briefings