Yesterday, December 3, the President of the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO), Theo de Jager, addressed the Virtual WTO Agriculture symposium, to give voice to the farmers within the debate on agricultural trade policy reforms towards more sustainable and inclusive food systems.
He underlined the impact of international trade on farmers, as well as emphasized how useful it is to support farmers’ daily efforts in terms of production, planning, and decision making, highlighting those policy adjustments that could assist farmers better rip the benefits of international trade.
Here are some key messages from the WFO President:
- Agricultural trade policies must be framed in the broader food systems framework
- Policy coherence at national and international level is crucial for farmers to remain competitive
- Sustainability in its three dimensions (environmental, social and economic) must be a key driver of new trade policy development
“Food must not be used as a weapon because food is our life!“, Theo de Jager stated during his closing speech