Brussels Development Briefings

The 15th Brussels Development Briefing took place at Berlaymont on 9th December 2009 (8h30-12h30) on the question “From Global Food Crisis to Local Food Insecurity”,  in the context of the new EC policy on Food security to be released.

The Briefing examined the domino effects of increased speculation in food markets (How has the global food and financial crisis affected food production and distribution and the food security of the poorest? Is global food production at risk in the medium and long term and will national food security and food sovereignty be the priority over global food availability? Is the small-scale farming more effective and resilient in times of crisis in least-developed countries?) and at what realistic policy options can secure food supply and availability at global and local levels.

Programme and Objectives of the Meeting:  Isolina Boto, CTA

Welcome remarks by the organizers: Philip Mikos, Head of Unity on Rural Development, DG Development, European Commission, Dr Hansjörg Neun, Director of CTA

Introductory Paper: Dr. Hans R. Herren, The International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology (IAASTD), [Executive Summary] [Presentation]

Panel 1 – The domino effects of increased speculation in food markets
How has the global food and financial crisis affected food production and distribution and the food security of the poorest? Is global food production at risk in the medium and long term and will national food security and food sovereignty be the priority over global food availability?  Is the small-scale farming more effective and resilient in times of crisis in least-developed countries?
- From price spikes to future agricultures, Steve Wiggins, ODI [Executive Summary] [Presentation]
- What role for the smallholder farmers to ensure poverty reduction and food security? Ndiogou Fall, President, ROPPA [Executive Summary]
- Civil society perspective on the Food Crisis, Stuart Coupe, UK Food Group, Practical Action [Executive Summary]

Panel 2 – What realistic policy options can secure food supply and availability at global and local levels?
The amount spent in agricultural research and development has fallen dramatically (more than 50% over the last decade). How can we therefore ensure increased and improved agricultural productivity and innovation? How to develop agriculture without investment in rural infrastructure and in upgrading production and marketing facilities? What investments are targeting the poor and how private sector is investing in rural development? What social measures and safety nets can be put in place to protect the most vulnerable rural populations and to strengthen the livelihoods, security and future of small-holder farmers?
- Towards an agenda for global food security, David Nabarro, UN  Special Representative on Food Security and Nutrition [Presentation]
- Towards a new EU Food Security Policy? Giulia Pietrangeli, Program Manager, DG Development, EC [EC Issues paper on Agricultural and Food Security challenges] [Presentation]
- Lessons learnt from agricultural successes: what future policy options, Rajul Pandya-Lorch, Director General’s Office, and Head, 2020 Vision Initiative, IFPRI, USA [Executive Summary] [Presentation] [Videomessage]

Conclusions: Dr. Hans R. Herren, IAASTD