International Agreements on Food & Agriculture

Introduction

International agreements on food and agriculture play a crucial role in ensuring global food security, sustainable agricultural practices, and fair trade. These agreements establish a framework for cooperation among nations, addressing issues such as food safety, trade regulations, environmental sustainability, and agricultural subsidies.

Many of these agreements are formulated under the guidance of international organizations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Trade Organization (WTO), and World Health Organization (WHO).

👉 FAO Official Website: Click Here
👉 WTO Agriculture Agreement: Click Here

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Major International Agreements on Food & Agriculture

1. Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) – WTO (1995)

• Established under the World Trade Organization (WTO).
• Aims to create a fair and market-oriented agricultural trading system.
• Focuses on three key areas:
  1. Market Access – Reducing tariffs and restrictions on agricultural imports.
  2. Domestic Support – Limiting government subsidies that distort trade.
  3. Export Competition – Phasing out export subsidies.

Case Law: India’s Food Security and WTO Dispute (2014)

• Issue: India’s Public Distribution System (PDS) and Minimum Support Price (MSP) policies were challenged under WTO rules.
• Outcome: India defended its stance, arguing that food security is a sovereign right, leading to negotiations on a peace clause for developing countries.

👉 WTO Agreement on Agriculture: Click Here

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2. Codex Alimentarius – FAO & WHO (1963)

• A collection of internationally recognized food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice.
• Jointly developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Ensures food safety, quality, and fair trade practices.
• Used by WTO’s Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement as a reference for resolving trade disputes.

👉 Codex Alimentarius Standards: Click Here

Case Law: EU Ban on Indian Mangoes (2014)

• Issue: The European Union banned Indian mango exports due to pest contamination concerns under Codex food safety standards.
• Outcome: India implemented stricter quality controls and the ban was lifted in 2015.

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3. International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) – 2001

• Adopted by the FAO to protect biodiversity and farmers’ rights.
• Ensures that farmers and researchers have access to plant genetic materials for food security.
• Recognizes traditional farming practices and the role of indigenous communities.

👉 ITPGRFA Official Link: Click Here

Case Law: Navdanya & Farmers’ Rights in India

• Issue: Protection of indigenous seed varieties against multinational corporations’ patents.
• Outcome: Indian farmers’ movements, supported by ITPGRFA, successfully pushed for laws that protect traditional seed-saving practices.

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4. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) – 1992

• Aims to conserve biodiversity, ensure sustainable use of biological resources, and promote fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources.
• Recognizes the importance of agrobiodiversity and traditional knowledge in food production.

Nagoya Protocol (2010) – Under CBD

• Strengthens access to genetic resources and ensures that benefits are fairly shared with local communities.

👉 CBD Official Website: Click Here

Case Law: Monsanto v. Percy Schmeiser (2004, Canada)

• Issue: Biotech giant Monsanto sued a Canadian farmer for using patented genetically modified (GM) seeds.
• Outcome: Court ruled in favor of Monsanto, highlighting the legal challenges farmers face regarding seed rights.

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5. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – UN Agenda 2030

• Includes Goal 2: Zero Hunger, aiming to:
  • End hunger and ensure food security.
  • Promote sustainable agriculture.
  • Double agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale farmers.

👉 UN SDG Goals: Click Here

Case Law: Supreme Court of India – Right to Food (PUCL v. Union of India, 2001)

• Issue: Starvation deaths despite government food grain stocks.
• Outcome: Supreme Court declared food security a constitutional right, directing the government to improve food distribution programs.

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6. Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement – WTO

• Ensures that food safety regulations are scientifically justified and not used as trade barriers.
• Helps in resolving disputes related to import restrictions on agricultural products.

👉 WTO SPS Agreement: Click Here

Case Law: India-US Poultry Dispute (2015, WTO)

• Issue: India banned US poultry imports due to bird flu concerns under SPS regulations.
• Outcome: WTO ruled against India, stating the ban was not based on sufficient scientific evidence.

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7. Paris Agreement on Climate Change (2015) & Agriculture

• Recognizes the impact of climate change on food security.
• Encourages sustainable farming practices to reduce carbon emissions.
• India has committed to reduce methane emissions from agriculture.

👉 Paris Agreement Details: Click Here

Case Law: Environmental Protection & Agriculture – Narmada Bachao Andolan v. Union of India (2000)

• Issue: Displacement of farmers due to the construction of the Narmada Dam.
• Outcome: Supreme Court upheld the project but emphasized the need for environmental safeguards and rehabilitation of affected farmers.

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Challenges in Implementing International Agreements

Challenge	Explanation
Trade Conflicts	Developed countries impose strict food safety regulations, affecting exports from developing nations.
Biopiracy & Patents	Corporations patent traditional seeds, harming farmers’ rights.
Climate Change & Agriculture	Extreme weather events impact global food production.
Subsidy Disputes	WTO restrictions on agricultural subsidies affect farmers in developing nations.

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Reforms & Way Forward

1. Strengthening Farmers’ Rights

• Promote seed sovereignty and protect traditional knowledge.
• Implement stronger biodiversity laws in line with CBD & ITPGRFA.

2. Fairer Trade Practices

• Ensure WTO rules on agriculture do not harm developing nations.
• Advocate for better market access for small farmers.

3. Climate-Resilient Agriculture

• Promote sustainable practices like organic farming & precision agriculture.
• Implement agroforestry & water conservation techniques.

4. Food Security for All

• Strengthen PDS, mid-day meals, and food security programs.
• Ensure government food stocks reach the poor efficiently.

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Conclusion

International agreements on food and agriculture play a pivotal role in ensuring global food security, trade fairness, and sustainability. While agreements like the WTO AoA, Codex Alimentarius, and CBD set global standards, developing nations must balance compliance with their domestic agricultural priorities. Strengthening farmers’ rights, sustainable practices, and equitable trade policies will ensure a food-secure future for all.