I mentioned that we are getting more engaged with the Private Sector Mechanism, which is a group with a formal relationship with the Committee on World Food Security. This Committee (CFS) is the inclusive international and intergovernmental platform for stakeholders to work together to ensure food security and nutrition for all.
The Committee reports to the UN General Assembly through the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and to FAO Conference. The Private Sector Mechanism is coordinated by the International Agri-Food Network. This is one of the mechanisms that we can use to provide input to the UN Food Systems Summit, which will take place on the 4th September of next year.
I believe that it is of critical importance that all livestock sectors are heard in the lead up to, and at, this summit.
There are five action tracks related to the summit. Given the importance of livestock in all farming systems, and particularly the importance of ruminants in deriving food from the majority of food producing land that is unable to grow crops, we must ensure that we provide proactive and constructive inputs in all five.
The Action Track in which animal source food will be challenged most is Action Track 2: Shift to Sustainable Consumption Patterns. It is led by Gunhild Stordale from the EAT foundation. Also, it is taken as axiomatic in some circles that animal source foods are less sustainable than plant source foods, without regard to the essential interdependence of food systems, not to mention the huge importance of animal protein in a well balanced and nutritious diet.
My immediate request of you is to provide comments on this draft PSM position paper produced by IAFN. I particularly encourage you to provide input to Action Track 2 in the document, though you are welcome to comment throughout.
Please submit your feedback before the end of business on 21st December (apologies for this short lead time). In addition to providing inputs through the PSM, we will be engaging with members and livestock organisations including GASL, LEAP and others and using the services of Engine MHP to communicate on this subject over the coming months.
Please contact either Amie Peck, Katie Ambrose or me to get involved in these efforts through the Communications Council.
We understand that several of our members will be planning their communications strategies for the Food Systems Summit, as well as for the Climate COP and the Biodiversity COP in 2021, and strongly believe that if we develop strategies together they will all benefit.
We would like to thank the most recent member to contribute to our Global Beef Sustainability Acceleration Fund, Rabobank, for their sponsorship.
