Constructing sustainable and inclusive territorial food systems

The FAO Liaison Office in Brussels took part in an online seminar entitled “Construction of sustainable and inclusive territorial food systems”, which highlighted the human right to adequate food as a key component in sustainable food systems. The issue is a major priority for the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The seminar was organized by Portuguese NGO ACTUAR, as a follow up to the 25 January event, “Territorial Food Systems and Healthy Diets: a pathway for global transformation”, jointly organized by the FAO Liaison Office in Brussels and the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Participants discussed the importance of creating new, inclusive territorial food policies, and supporting their multi-level governance, with a view to generating recommendations for their integration in the European Farm to Fork strategy.

Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) Head of Unit for the Farm to Fork Strategy, Alexandra Nikolakopoulou, addressed the implementation of the Strategy at the national and local levels within the framework of the EU Green Deal. "We need to defend food security at all times and not just in time of crisis," she said.

FAO highlighted the importance of Portugal's role in promoting local development and strengthening family farming to promote healthy food systems.

Portuguese Secretary of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Rui Martinho, noted the path of Portugal in building the institutional framework and governance mechanisms to expand sustainable food systems. "We want a healthier population through a sustainable food system," he explained.

"We live in a kind of paradox. An abundance of food and 110 million Europeans going hungry," said Member of the European Parliament and the European Parliamentary Alliance against Hunger and Malnutrition, Isabel Carvalhais. “We live on a planet that is between abundance and waste; hunger and malnutrition. Local agents must guarantee the right to healthy food,” she added.

The event brought together mayors, civil society, private sector, representatives of the European Union and the Government of Portugal, all seeking to create consensus and build conditions to fully realize the human right to adequate food in Portugal and Europe.

The event ended with a group discussion, whose results were presented to the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture to inform the Portuguese Presidency’s work on the Farm to Fork strategy.