Author:

Keywords:

food security

Abstract:

Food production and food security increasingly raise questions, both at the local and at the global level. Experts in various disciplines formulate three challenges for the 21st century: shortage of natural resources, environmental impact of food production, and food security. Shall we succeed in feeding the growing population? Will everyone have access to sufficient food? Will the increase of food production lead to deforestation and put further pressure on biodiversity? Food and nutrition security is a key topic on the European agenda which is for example reflected in the special consultation project recently launched by the EU and dedicated to exploring the potential of science and innovation in ensuring a safe, sufficient, nutritious and sustainable food not only in Europe, but all over the world. This paper aims to broaden and deepen the ongoing debate and frame it within the policy context of Flanders, a European region characterised by its densely population and intensive and export-oriented agriculture. The paper summarizes the conclusion of an academic working group at the University of Leuven, called Metaforum Group, that developed over the period of 2 years a balanced interdisciplinary vision on food production and food security. The different disciplines were represented in the working group including experts from the faculty of bio-engineering, medicine, chemistry, ethics, history and industrial engineering. The aim of the working group is to enhance the debate and contribute to a sustainable food policy. The vision paper of the Metaforum Group will be published in September 2015. Food security in the broad sense is taken as the point departure. Over 30 years ago, Amartya Sen (1981) claimed that food security goes beyond availability of food, though also includes access to food, the use of food and stability of food supplies. We build on the internationally recognized definition of food security of the World Food Summit 1996 who states that “when all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life”. Nine topics have been examined in the light of global and local food security: agricultural productivity, natural resources, biodiversity, alternative food production systems, socio-economic aspects of agriculture, food trade, food consumption, environmental impact of food production and consumption and, the challenges for food production in Flanders. The main findings were summarized in seven evidence-based statements: 1. There is globally enough food available though food demand will further increase 2. It is possible to increase food production and close the yield gap 3. Production capacity should not decrease though production increase has to take place on existing arable land 4. Agricultural production has to become more sustainable 5. Alternative food production, such as organic agriculture, agro-ecology and agroforestry, is not the encompassing solution for current problems in the food system 6. Consumers in Western societies waste almost as much food as the entire food production in Sub-Sahara Africa 7. Flanders is at the global level an important food hub These statements lead to the core output of the Metaforum Group. We distinguish several items and recommendations for a good food policy as a whole and a better food policy for Flanders in particular. • A good food policy needs good communication and has to be evidence-based • The environmental impact of agriculture in Flanders should decrease. European policy on biodiversity fails. • There is need for an integrated food policy • Research is needed on a European CO2 tax • Alternative food systems could be a experimental space for new environmental friendly methods but needs more research • Local food production system contribute to sensitizing and social cohesion • Sensitizing is necessary but not enough. Government should also activate consumers. • Food waste should be reduced. The waste of qualitative food is unethical. • Flanders has to invest in niche food products with high added value • Scientists should act as reliable and multidisciplinary point for stakeholders at all levels of the food system. The contribution of this paper is fourfold. First, we demonstrate explicitly the thin line between evidence-base statements and opinions, a line that is not only ignored in public media but often also ignored by scientists. Second, the interdisciplinary approach allows to broaden the debate and identify new components in the debate that are not captured in a strong disciplinary perspective. Third, the Metaforum Group recognizes the responsibility of academics to actively contribute to policy making in general and contributing to a coherent food policy in particular. Finally, the paper can be considered as a valuable point of departure for the debate on food production and food security within universities, in their goal to improve research as well as education and for the communication with the stakeholders and the society about the food system.