Brussels, 21/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 22 June, Staffan Nilsson met French Agriculture Minister Bruno Le Maire in Paris to hand over the conclusions to the conference entitled: “Food for everyone - towards a global deal”, held on 23 May. The conclusions are civil society's contribution to the work of the G20 on food security.
The president of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) suggests that, as part of the effort to reach a global deal on food security, G20 agricultural ministers adopt the following recommendations based on six pillars: 1) promotion of sustainable agriculture by increasing the share of national budgets in developing countries devoted to agriculture, and supporting agricultural policies that aim to promote local and regional markets; 2) crucial role of civil society through contribution from farmers, consumers, the private sector, workers and NGOs; 3) recognition of the right to food both nationally and internationally by promoting access to land and water; 4) need for policy coherence through recognition of the multi-dimensional aspect of food security; 5) better functioning of agricultural markets by countering price instability and improving market transparency; 6) and the protection of the most vulnerable by guaranteeing the rights of farmers. For further information: http://www.eesc.europa.eu . (G.B./transl.jl)