A/HRC/25/57
(d)
Explore ways to combat unhealthy speculation on the futures markets of
agricultural commodities through commodity index funds.
2.
A new framework for trade and investment in agriculture
The realization of the right to food requires designing trade rules that support the transition
toward more sustainable agricultural practices. The multilateral trade regime as well as
regional and bilateral trade agreements must allow countries to develop and implement
ambitious food security policies including public food reserves, temporary import
restrictions, active marketing boards, and safety net insurance schemes, in support of the
progressive realization of the right to food (A/HRC/10/5/Add.2). In this regard, States
should:
(a)
Limit excessive reliance on international trade and build capacity to produce
the food needed to meet consumption needs, with an emphasis on small-scale farmers;
(b)
Maintain the necessary flexibilities and instruments, such as supply
management schemes, to insulate domestic markets from the volatility of prices on
international markets; and
(c)
Encourage national parliaments to hold regular hearings about the positions
adopted by the government in trade negotiations, and ensure that their undertakings under
the WTO framework are fully compatible with the right to food;
(d)
Fully implement the Marrakesh Ministerial Decision on Measures concerning
the possible negative effects of the reform programme on least developed and net foodimporting developing countries (NFIDCs) and, in order for it to be fully effective, ensure
that it include a mechanism to systematically monitor the impact of the Agreement on
Agriculture reform process on NFIDCs.
3.
Regulating agribusiness
States should take steps towards the establishment of a multilateral framework regulating
the activities of commodity buyers, processors, and retailers in the global food supply
chain, including the setting of standards by these actors and their buying policies
(A/HRC/13/33). In particular, States should use competition law in order to combat
excessive concentration in the agribusiness sector. This requires having in place
competition regimes sensitive to excessive buyer power in the agrifood sector, and devising
competition authorities with mechanisms that allow for affected suppliers to bring
complaints without fear of reprisal by dominant buyers.
Private actors of the agribusiness sector should refrain from practices that constitute an
undue exercise of buyer power, as identified by the States in which they operate, and
should:
(a)
Seek to conclude international framework agreements with global unions;
(b)
Consider unilateral undertakings to monitor compliance with ILO standards
in the supply chain, while supporting their suppliers in achieving compliance;
(c)
Engage in chain-wide learning to assure that participation in the chain is
profitable for all involved, including small-scale producers;
(d)
Involve smallholders in the elaboration of and compliance with food safety,
labour or environmental standards; and
(e)
Promote fair trade through increased shelf space and information campaigns.
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