OS CONTORNOS DA SEGURANÇA ALIMENTAR NO ÂMBITO DO SISTEMA JURÍDICO MULTILATERAL DE COMÉRCIO

THE SHAPE OF FOOD SECURITY UNDER THE MULTILATERAL TRADING LEGAL SYSTEM

Abstract

Despite great effort by the international community, a lack of food security persists and has even worsened in the last few years. Amongst the multiple elements that can affect food security, trade in agriculture plays a significant role both in positive and negative terms. Considering food security under the multilateral trading system, one of the most important issues is the very concept of food security as adopted by the negotiating parties. Does it match the most commonly used definition at an international level, i.e. the FAO’s definition? Has the World Trade Organization forum come up with a clear and consistent notion of food security? This article discusses the concept of food security emerging from the WTO legal system, examining the rules of the relevant Agreement on Agriculture and taking into account the current reform process.