Roundtable 7

Transatlantic Policy Solutions for Food

and Water Security
Rapportuer: Mark Titterington, Director of European Public Affairs, Syngenta
 Setting the scene
• Food and water security are two of the most
important geo-political challenges of the 21st
Century

“without water, you cannot grow food”

“without food, men become desperate” (Anon)

 Perspective from the United States
Renewed interest in global food security from the US political leadership driven by:
– the food crisis of 2008 and commitment of billions of dollars in emergency
assistance
– recognition of the structural challenges leading to food insecurity and the
emergence of new crises

In response, a twin tracked strategy is necessary

– continue & increase emergency assistance
– build towards long term stability by providing tools, training, and access to
markets

According to a new CSIS Report(1), the Obama administration should develop and remain
committed to a long term comprehensive, sustainable, plan of action
– recognizing that it may take many years for significant results to emerge

(1) Cultivating Food Security, CSIS, April 2010

 Perspective from the European Union
• Growing political awareness of food & water security following 2008 crisis

• The Common Agricultural Policy continues to play a central role in driving Europe’s response
to these challenges

• In the future it must adopt a more progressive role enabling land managers and farmers to:
– maintain and increase agriculture productivity & competitiveness; and
– more efficiently manage natural resources, particularly water(1)

• Whilst reform of CAP is necessary, weakening it would involve in serious risks to both
agriculture & the environment
– CAP must help stabilize farm incomes rewarding farmers for the delivery of public goods
and services which the market does not pay for

• Technology is also key part of the solution but is not the entire story
– western lifestyles must also adapt to reduce impact

(1) Severe water stress in EU river basins likely to increase from 19% today to 35% by 2070
 Further Points Raised
– water availability for food security is crucial (1)
– new model demonstrates the possibility to identify – at local level – the key
solutions to water scarcity, attribute a cost to them, and determine the benefits
from making the investment
– going forward, leading countries must also engage to broaden application of the
model
– focus on emergency food assistance and long term food security
– US & EU can produce everything we need; trade & networks are key to food and
water security
– private sector is a key enabler of sustainability because it is crucial to companies
long term viability & growth
– highlighted the role that technology can play in the efficient use and provision of
clean water for multiple uses

(1) 1/3 of world will suffer water scarcity by 2050

 Suggestions proposed
• Need to resolve conflict between politics and technology in food & water security
– concern about the ‘Europeanization’ of US regulatory policy
– avoid negative attitudes to technology in one part of the world preventing it’s use in areas
which need it

• Address ways to sustainably intensify agricultural production through tools, training, and access
to markets

• Understand better the key drivers which can impact on food & water security
– increases in energy (oil) prices drives up the cost of food
– liberalisation in agriculture would reduce water consumption by 10%

• Improve the economic resilience of small-holders farmers

– demonstrate how small changes in farming practices and adoption of basic technologies can
drive food security amongst this group

• Need to improve communication with general public/ consumers about where food comes from
and how it is produced
 Conclusions & next steps
● There are a number of approaches to food & water security which should be
promoted on both sides of the Atlantic including:

- development of a comprehensive approach to food & water security

- empower leadership and coordination at governmental level
- support country-led, demand driven plans for agriculture
- elevate agricultural research and development to improve food & water security
- leverage the strength of the private sector
- renew commitment to trade as a tool for achieving food and water security

We need to be bold in developing responses to the challenges

We need to remain focused