NUTRITION

Food Security. On March 16, the leaders of the Group of 7 (G7) called on countries to achieve a “strongly coordinated international approach” to mitigate the global impact of coronavirus. They recommended support for global trade, investment and technological cooperation. The statement was endorsed by the World Trade Organization and the World Health Organization. They agreed on the need to manage common measures in public health and food safety. They also called for action to ensure food safety and security and to consider financial actions to reactivate the economy. It is expected that in the coming weeks governments of Latin America will deepen their participation in the technical exchange initiatives on health, financial and social issues in order to face the crisis in a more joined up manner.

Amid the pandemic, among the recommendations of the G7 (made up of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States), is the following: “to do what is necessary to ensure a solid global response through closer cooperation and better coordination of our efforts”.  UN agencies have backed this and called for economic sustainability and global food security. 

In their announcement, the G7 countries propose a “strongly coordinated international approach” rooted in science and evidence. In addition, they emphasize “democratic values and the strengths of private enterprise” as a means to ensure stability. For the G7, it is essential to “support global trade and investment, promote science, research and technological cooperation,” and manage public health and food safety measures that are “necessary to protect people at risk from COVID-19”.

For its part, the World Trade Organization (WTO) supported the G7 declaration and stressed the importance of “setting the stage for a strong recovery of strong and sustainable economic growth and prosperity. It called for “mobilizing the full range of instruments, including monetary and fiscal measures, as well as specific actions, to support immediately and as needed the most affected workers, enterprises and sectors. 

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) also welcomed the declaration and stressed the need to “ensure food safety and food contact safety in relation to the coronavirus. Among the recommendations, the agency highlighted the importance of the proper handling and processing of food, including correct cooking of meat and the need to be attentive to the healthiness of the food on the market.

Next steps:

On 16 March, the G7 countries called for coordinated measures to mitigate the effects of coronavirus. The G7 seek to promote coordinated public policies to respond to the crisis in the short, medium and long term. The group suggested it would continue working in the coming weeks with the G7 Presidency, the G7 Leaders Summit and will ask the G20 to “support and amplify” efforts to carry out mitigation and containment policies in the areas of economic stability and food security.