Krems – Austria – 22nd August 2011

After  5  days  of  intense,  inspired  and  constructive  exchange,  the  Nyeleni  Europe  2011,  European Forum for Food Sovereignty, closed yesterday. The Forum adopted the first European Declaration on Food Sovereignty. 

Over 400 delegates from European countries committed to strengthening their collective capacity to reclaiming  community  control  over  food  system,  to  resisting  the  agro-industrial  system  and  to expanding and consolidating a strong European movement for Food Sovereignty.  

Over 120 organisations  and  individuals,  representing  civil  society  and  social movements, discussed the  impact  of  current  European  and  global  policies.  Together they  developed  a  comprehensive platform and a set of principles  to achieve  food sovereignty  in Europe. The Forum emphasized  the contribution  of  voices  of  young  people,  woman  and  food  producers,  whose  concerns  are  often overlooked.    This diversity  and  richness of experience enabled  the Nyeleni Europe 2011  Forum  to identify  a  common  framework,  and  to  define  a  joint  action  plan  based  on  a  democratic  and participatory process. 

The Declaration proclaims, “we are convinced that a change to our food system is a first step towards a broader change in our societies”.  The Forum delegates strongly committed to taking the food system into their own hands by:

-  Working towards an ecologically sustainable and socially just model of food production and consumption based on non-industrial smallholder farming, processing and alternative distribution.

-  Decentralizing the food distribution system and shortening the chain between producers and consumers.

-  Improving working and social conditions, particularly in field of food and agriculture?

-  Democratizing decision-making on the use of the Commons and heritage (land, water, air, traditional knowledge, seeds and livestock).

-  Ensuring that public policies at all levels guarantee the vitality of rural areas, fair prices for food producers and safe, GMO-free food for all.

At this time of political volatility, social and economic crisis, the delegates of the Nyeleni Forum for Food Sovereignty reaffirmed their vision of unity that emphasized the right of all peoples to define their  own  food  and  agriculture  policies  and  systems,  without  harming  either  people  or  precious natural resources, as Food Sovereignty implies.

That’s why we demand food sovereignty in Europe now. 

 Press release  (pdf) /    Final Declaration (full text)