The faith-based development networks CIDSE, CARITAS Europa and APRODEV have welcomed the adoption by the Council today of conclusions on a new policy framework for the European Commission and EU Member States to assist developing countries in dealing with food security challenges. The networks say that increased efforts on global food security are urgently needed as the gap between Millenium Development Goal (MDG) 1 and the current reality is increasing, given that more than one billion people in the world are suffering from hunger. With the global MDG review Summit coming up in September, the networks call on the EU to back up their words with firm financial commitments and measures to ensure the framework will be put into practice.

“These conclusions mark an important step forward in food security policy for the EU. The endorsement of the Right to Food approach and the focus on small producers and sustainable agricultural value chains provide a strong basis for tackling hunger in developing countries in a meaningful and lasting way,” said Marc Somers from Caritas Europa.

The Council has asked the Commission to prepare a plan to put the framework into practice by the end of 2010. With this in mind the networks point to two important gaps in the proposed EU strategy to tackle global hunger.

“Since June 2008, EU ministers have committed to an increase in financial support to agriculture, food security and nutrition in developing countries - but not yet to the level required to tackle the food crisis. We want the EU to commit to increasing its share to ensure that at least 10% of their Official Development Assistance goes to agriculture and rural development within the next five years,” said Bob van Dillen from CIDSE.

“If the framework is to have any teeth the implementation plan must include an effective review mechanism to assess how the Commission and Member States are fulfilling their commitments. In addition, it needs to assess how other EU policies, such as trade and agricultural policies, are impacting on the objectives this new framework sets out,” said Karin Ulmer from APRODEV.

ENDS

European Council: Resources and oversight needed to make new food security commitments work, say faith-based development networks

The faith-based development networks CIDSE, CARITAS Europa and APRODEV have welcomed the adoption by the Council today of conclusions on a new policy framework for the European Commission and EU Member States to assist developing countries in dealing with food security challenges. The networks say that increased efforts on global food security are urgently needed as the gap between Millenium Development Goal (MDG) 1 and the current reality is increasing, given that more than one billion people in the world are suffering from hunger. With the global MDG review Summit coming up in September, the networks call on the EU to back up their words with firm financial commitments and measures to ensure the framework will be put into practice.

“These conclusions mark an important step forward in food security policy for the EU. The endorsement of the Right to Food approach and the focus on small producers and sustainable agricultural value chains provide a strong basis for tackling hunger in developing countries in a meaningful and lasting way,” said Marc Somers from Caritas Europa.

The Council has asked the Commission to prepare a plan to put the framework into practice by the end of 2010. With this in mind the networks point to two important gaps in the proposed EU strategy to tackle global hunger.

“Since June 2008, EU ministers have committed to an increase in financial support to agriculture, food security and nutrition in developing countries - but not yet to the level required to tackle the food crisis. We want the EU to commit to increasing its share to ensure that at least 10% of their Official Development Assistance goes to agriculture and rural development within the next five years,” said Bob van Dillen from CIDSE.

“If the framework is to have any teeth the implementation plan must include an effective review mechanism to assess how the Commission and Member States are fulfilling their commitments. In addition, it needs to assess how other EU policies, such as trade and agricultural policies, are impacting on the objectives this new framework sets out,” said Karin Ulmer from APRODEV.

ENDS