Pathways towards Sustainable Food Systems in Times of Crises
G7 Agriculture Ministers want to lead the way to make food systems sustainable across the globe
Under the German Presidency, the G7 Agriculture Ministers met in Stuttgart from 13 to 14 May. Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable attack on Ukraine, the repercussions of this attack for Ukraine itself and the impact on global food security were at the centre of the conference.
Following intensive negotiations, the Agriculture Ministers affirmed that the three objectives global food security, climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation can only be achieved together. Furthermore, the Ministers committed to adopt long-term aid measures for Ukraine.
Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir: "Russia’s attack on Ukraine, which violates international law, set the tone for our meeting. Not only is climate change threatening food security, but war has also increased the pressure on global food systems. Putin’s war is exacerbating hunger worldwide. We have given our commitment to support Ukraine with long-term measures. We will continue to ensure food supplies for the Ukrainian population and we will support the Ukrainian agricultural sector wherever possible. And we will help Ukraine to resume its agricultural exports."
The G7 Agriculture Minister committed to monitor prices of means of production and food more closely in order to be able to respond more promptly to developments. Higher costs for inputs such as fertiliser and seeds are a major factor in making food more expensive. To this end, the G7 countries will strengthen the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS). Germany will double its financial contribution to 80,000 dollars.
Özdemir: "We are also committed to stabilising the markets. Agricultural products must not be stored for an undue amount of time in individual countries – this shows a lack of solidarity and leads to further price hikes. We speak out against export bans and call for markets to be kept open. With concern, we also discussed that some countries have imposed an export ban on wheat or palm oil. We urge all countries to meet their responsibilities."
The second major topic of the G7 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting was the impact of the climate crisis.
Federal Minister Özdemir comments: "I am delighted that we have also reached a common understanding that we cannot solve crises by exacerbating another one. It is clear to us that we must combat hunger, climate change and the extinction of species together. Today already, people suffer most from hunger where the climate crisis is hitting with full force and where biodiversity is lost. The G7 want to take the lead at international level to outline pathways towards sustainable food systems. The right to food can only be implemented if we enable farmers all over the world to sustainably increase productivity and to strengthen resilient ecosystems."
You can find the G7 Agriculture Ministers’ Communiqué containing the outcomes of the conference at www.bmel.de/g7-kommunique-en.
Please visit www.bmel.de/g7en for further information and videos.