GVPT289A – Flashcards

derogatory term for land investment that involves areas with low accountability or high corruption, no prior informed consent of local community, secret or corrupt deals, often acquired through violence, or displace small farmers due to lack of rights. Occurs mainly in developing companies but also occurs in US. Buyers include Chinese firms globally and Latin American firms regionally. Supporters argue that investment will lead to the use of previously unused land and increased agricultural productivity. Opponents say it's neocolonialism that reduces power of nation, takes advantage of corruption and poor property rights, and land is often used for biofuels and natural resources, not agriculture. Also motivated by China's need for natural resources. Related to financialization of food because people speculate on prices of food and biofuels. 2011 petition by over 800 organizations included La Via Campesina to FAO against land grabs. Concerns have led to corporations like Nestle declaring zero tolerance.

Issue in countries around world that includes both knowledge of what is in food and preventing foodborne illnesses. Food safety has been issue in free trade negotiations. For example, EU does not want beef with hormones, chlorine washed chicken, or GMOs. China has also faced food safety issues, such as melamine in pet food and baby formula, from an emphasis of profits over safety. Responded with creation of super regulator. WTO has allowed food safety standards to prevent free trade. FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius set international food safety standards that many see as lowest common denominator standards.

when all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life. Food availability: sufficient quantities of food available on a consistent basis. Food access: having sufficient resources to obtain appropriate foods for a nutritious diet. Food use: appropriate use based on knowledge of basic nutrition and care, as well as adequate water and sanitation. Affected by the supply and demand of food. Supply can be affected by disasters, price of inputs, and government policies, among other things. Demand can be affected by rising population, changes in diet due to higher incomes, and policies such as taxes and welfare. However, demand is inelastic at a certain point.

people and country's right to participate in decisions about food policy. Created by La Via Campesina. Highlights who politically controls the food system and who does not. Is focused on power and not food. Food is a basic human right, reform food trade by supporting local food production and consumption, ending subsidies and dumping of foods below market price, and paying fair prices, end of globalization of hunger (anti-corporate attitude), and promoting local values over global, including producing local culturally significant food. Examples include Ecuador including food sovereignty in 2008 in its constitution and Mexican farmers protesting NAFTA due to import of US subsidized corn of different variety. Many of principles of food sovereignty have been adopted by more mainstream organizations. Stresses importance of consumer making political statement in choosing what to eat.

World Food Programme. The food assistance branch of the United Nations and the world's largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger and promoting food security. It was established after the 1960 FAO Conference. The Aims to provide food security and nutrition, reduce risk, and enable people to meet their own food and nutrition needs. Focus on multilateral donations, take politics out of food aid. Heads international food regime today. 75% of aid goes through WFP.

Started in 1986 as an alternative to fast food. It strives to preserve traditional and regional cuisine by also encouraging the farming of plants, seeds and livestock characteristic of the local ecosystem. Its main goals are to promote sustainable agriculture and local small business which closely parallel anti-globalization movements.

Term coined by George Ritzer. Consists of efficiency through specialization and rationalization of production through efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control. Name refers to basis on McDonald's business practices. Has led to irrational outcomes in the form of externalities., including reduced quality, more consumer work, and expansion imperative, which is expansion despite negative effects. Has become common in most forms of business, for example, funeral homes.

idea that governments deregulate business to attract foreign investment, including no minimum wage and poor working conditions. Limited by reputational concerns and fears of regulation in home country that would require higher standards for suppliers, even in other countries. Also limited by desire for certain level of quality that labor standards can ensure. Created by competition due to globalization.

Coalition of advocacy groups that has no set boundaries. Works across many states in order to achieve goals. Development of TANs has been due to decline or lack of unions in many countries. For example, Greenpeace. Some have coordinated campaigns pressuring governments and targeting companies. For example, the anti-WTO protests were coordinated through a TAN. Also put issues on international agenda. Pressure from them has created incentive for higher labor standards for multinational corporations. Goals include fair trade, corporate social responsibility, changing agriculture and fishing techniques, food sovereignty, and food as a human right. Function through "boomerang" model, where local groups face resistant governments, appeal to international organizations for resources, and foreign NGOs pressure their own governments to put pressure on the original government. Today, there are multiple boomerangs.

Any organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering. Purpose is to increase productivity, nutrition, and ability to withstand adverse conditions. Opponents say it could pose risks to humans such as unintended results or being toxicity. Also say they pose environmental risks like super weeds and reducing biodiversity. Intellectual rights to seeds are also an issue. Also increases corporate control. People also push for labeling of GMOs. GMOs regulated same as non-GMOs in US. In EU, staunch opposition to GMOs in form of labeling and other regulations. Little impact on food security because it is due to poverty and access.

Concentrated animal feeding operations. Packs animals destined for meat, poultry, pork, or dairy production in small areas with little room to move around. Some animals stand on slanted ground so feces slides away from them. Shows McDonalization and rationalization of meat production. Animals stand in feces, leading to concerns about disease. Started in poultry industry in 1950s and spread to other forms of production. Exist around the world. Animals are unable to perform instinctive actions like flapping wings. Animals are also typically given antibiotics in the corn-based feed, which increases likelihood of antibiotic resistant pathogens. Some say corn-based feed leads to growth of dangerous e.coli, but research has not proven this claim. Concentration of manure and feces poses risks to local air and water quality.

fuels formed from living organisms. Examples include ethanol from corn. US government supports ethanol due to being renewable and less dependence on oil. Lobbying in US has led to reliance on corn for ethanol, which subsidizes corn doubly over. Has shifted investment into commodities and land.

Variety of different types of life found on earth. Modern system focuses on growing of small number of crops. Nutritionally important root crops like cassava and cereals like sorghum are disappearing. The system is more efficient but also more vulnerable. For example, a century ago there were thousands of varieties of apples, now there are only a handful. Monoculture and plantation agriculture have reduced biodiversity. Industrialization and development reduce biodiversity by destroying ecosystems that sustain life. 75% of crop diversity lost in last 100 years. Seed saving has begun including seed repository in Norway

form of agriculture that relies on techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost, and biological pest control. Synthetic fertilizers and chemicals are not allowed although natural ones can be used under limited conditions. They are also not processed and contain no additives. Success of Wholes Foods Market showed demand for organic food and led to other supermarkets stocking organic food. Has hurt poor farmers in developing companies because they cannot find new buyers for their crops since they cannot afford to follow organic standards. Studies show that organic yields are significantly lower in industrialized countries but Green Revolution countries with irrigation can actually produce more with organic.

worker based human rights organization internationally recognized for its achievements in the fields of social responsibility, trafficking and gender-based violence at work. Built as a farmworker community, but has increased with the creation of national consumer networks that go after many issues such as fair food, anti-slavery and competitive co-ops.

set of standards for goods that includes fair price for farmers, decent working conditions, direct trade that shortens supply chain by bypassing middleman, free association and democracy, access to capital for investment, and sustainable agricultural practices. Members are regularly inspected to ensure they meet certifications. Considered ethical trade. Fair trade commits to coffee price of $1.26/pound or higher when world prices increase. It only works to degree that people are willing to pay more for certified goods. Other challenges include maintaining quality and prices, meeting demand, and abundance of certification systems. Fairtrade International (FLO) and Fair Trade US split over US decision to certify plantations, which FLO won't certify.

consumers of chefs who source food from local sources. Something that is usually grown within 100 miles of end consumers. Has increased as a result of interest in sustainability and eco-consciousness. Benefits include reducing environmental effects due to reduced transportation, allowing consumers to know producer and practices, benefits local economy, food is fresher and more nutritious, and empowering people. However, much consider negative environmental effects of trying to grow produce in bad climates. Community-Supported Agriculture offers locavores a share of a farmer's harvest in exchanges for upfront payment. Reduces risk for farmers. Can take form of farmer's markets, CSAs, urban/community gardens, and growing their own food.

moral or legal entitlement to get something or act a certain way. Two perspectives on human rights are that rights are universal and inherent and that rights depend on factors such as culture, place, and time. Divided into civil/political and economic/social rights. Some say that there is a right to food that includes regular, permanent and unrestricted access to food in sufficient quantity and nutritious quality corresponding to cultural traditions.

Industrial Practices: Huge trawlers and factory ships catch fish in massive nets, overfishing desired fish. Fishing fleet is twice the size needed to remove all the fish that the ocean can sustainably support. Fishing also has problem of by-catch, leading to undesirable or even endangered fish being caught. Policies: International law through UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982 provides exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for countries for seas 200 miles from coast. Everything else is open. An attempt to eliminate tragedy of commons because country owns the area. However, many have not signed, such as US. Fisheries management includes catch limits on scientific basis, restrictions on size of fish, protection for spawning fish, and enforcement and sanctions. Difficult to implement but there has been some success in growing numbers of endangered species.

Monsanto: want more market power in seeds, want intellectual property rights for seeds, reduce regulation about environmental impact, safety, and health. Want acceptance of GMOs in food aid. Want to force farmers to buy seeds each year.

Rising income is biggest driving force behind increase in meat consumption, with three times as many animals as in 1970. United States consumption is decreasing. No longer growing in wealthy countries, but increasing in transitional countries in Latin America and Asia. Africa is growing even more. By 2050, increases in meat consumption will be huge in countries that are currently not wealthy. Excessive consumption of meat and animal byproducts comes with many health concerns. In China, as meat and dairy product consumption increased, so did problems such as hypertension and heart disease. Issued are associated with high consumption and how the meat was produced. Certain meats, like bacon and charred meats, are especially risky.

Obesity and malnutrition exist in same country. Caused by low prices of junk/fast food. Food is scientifically designed to provide the most enjoyment for consumers, including reaching the bliss point. Corporate interests oppose healthy food and include maximum consumption of their unhealthy products. Consumers are disorganized and international health organizations are weak. Has been slow to show up on international agenda. WTO, UN General Assembly, and World Economic Forum have made calls to address the issue. The poor in both developing and developed countries suffer from it.

Support • More productivity • Can be made to survive in previously uninhabitable areas Against • Intellectual property rights • Corporate control

Tragedy of the commons is the situation occurs due to common resources. Common resources are non-excludable but accessing them reduces the access of others to the resources. As a result, there is no incentive to limit one's use of the resources, which leads to common resources being overused. One example is fish. The ocean is not excludable but there are a small number of fish in the ocean. Another example is water. Overuse of water restricts the access of others to water and means that unsustainable practices are used.

Locavores must choose between eating locally and having the produce they want when they want. Locavores want to eat locally to reduce the environmental impact of food, through food miles and eat more nutritious food. Local food limits choices to those in season and that can be grown in climate. In addition, those growing own crops tend to overuse pesticides more than commercial farmers.

What is it? Global food chain includes suppliers, intermediaries, and retailers across globe. Consequences? Global food chains obscure lives of people who make our food. Weaken accountability because farmers/workers in food industry are distant from consumers. It is difficult to see working conditions of labor. Specific consequences include low wages and no overtime, lack of benefits, child labor, and mistreatment of migrant workers, due to differences in standards between countries. Imports into US have been increasing to 15 to 20% but inspections remain low, at 1%. Differences in food safety standards means that violations are common yet rarely found. We don't know what's in our food. Pink slime in US and meat adulteration scandal in 2013 in EU that showed meat contained horse meat.

International Labor Organization (ILO) founded in 1919 with representation from workers, employers, and governments. In 1998 agreed on mandatory standards for all members, including freedom of association and collective bargaining, elimination of forced/compulsory labor, abolition of child labor, and elimination of discrimination in regards to employment and occupation. Before, its standards were voluntary for members. International regulations are voluntary, whether membership in organizations or adherence to standards. Negotiations are dominated by powerful states and goals of powerful states are determined by interests of powerful industries and groups within the country. TANs have pressured international organizations and governments to adopt stronger standards to protect labor. Some TANs specialize in agriculture or food issues, such as Fair Trade Movement. TANs have also pressured companies to voluntary adopt standards with some success.

Corporations have a major economic impact in the US and employing millions of people. This means that in politics, corporation's interests are often put before others without and corporations have influence due to position. Corporate investments determine which countries grow and gain employment. Corporations do most of trading, which allows them to determine price and standards internally. May lead to Race to the Bottom. Competition over suppliers means central corporation can influence them.

Corporations have money and small numbers to mobilize, while consumers suffer from collective action problem, such as free rider problem, costs of action in time and resources, and communication challenges. This allows them to lobby more effectively due to more resources and coordination. For example, formed International Food Information Council to counter food movement claims and Dietary Guidelines Alliance to influence nutritional recommendations, showing ability to coordinate. Money allows funding of campaigns and bribes. Also can control information. Can undermine other firms.

Power of corporations is enormous compared to communities and consumers. Walmart would be 25th highest GDP if country. Small number of corporations dominate some industries. Ownership in small number of corporations reduces competition in inputs, trade and processing, and distributing. 5 companies dominate grain industry. Lack of accountability due to large network of suppliers. Transnational character distances them from consumers. Collusion and price signaling increases prices and profits for corporations. Less innovation occurs due to decreased competition. Preferences affecting market demand led to antibiotics in meat in US. Walmart effect shows effects of powerful business on local business.

Financialization began in 1980s with deregulation of banks caused by rise of neoliberal orthodoxy. Removed barriers between investment banking and consumer banking. Certain financial entities like hedge funds were not given regulation. Lobbying in US allowed trading of futures contracts in commodity market by groups not producing the commodity. Futures contracts were used by farmers to stabilize prices by agreeing to sell at future date for set price and quantity. Constructed index funds that tracked price of underlying commodities. Derivatives for commodities are created and derived value from underlying commodities. Trade of derivatives and indexes affected demand for food commodities, despite not actually trading in food. Increase in speculative demand affected real demand, increasing prices. Other market crises led to investors wanting safe investments. Food was considered safe, leading to higher demand for food derivatives. This increase in demand increased prices, causing the 2008 food crisis.

Biofuels: government policies support biofuels because it is renewable and for national security reasons (less dependence on oil). Corporate lobbying for ethanol from corn, which is subsidized doubly over. Shifts investment into commodities and land. Land Grabs: increasing prices due to financialization led to speculation in land. Investors grab land for biofuels and in anticipation of rising food prices.

Price increases and volatility. Hoarding of commodities increases prices further. Import dependent countries are particularly vulnerable, especially developing. Middlemen/brokers have more power. Hurt consumers, leading to Arab Spring revolts. Global campaigns against banks and commodity traders.

La Via Campesina: • Food Sovereignty • Voice for small farmers • Part of anti-globalization movement • Encourage living wage, cultural rights, women's rights, end of GMOs • end of disaster capitalism, colonialism and imperialism • Believe current trade rules favor big companies Slow Food: • Founded to prevent disappearance of local food cultures and traditions • Good, fair, clean • Consumer and producer power • Solution to globalization, GMOs, health issues, monoculture • Appeals to wealthy • Benefits small, local food producers

Environmental impact due to greenhouse gas emissions. Methane is emitted from livestock and carbon emissions from fossil fuels due to mechanization of agriculture. Destroys plants, which act as carbon sinks, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in air. Use of water is greater for animals. Mistreatment of animals

Yes because some corporations have adopted better conditions for animals as a result. Others, like Chipotle, have adopted dramatically better conditions for animals. Also, according to the Oxfam Behind the Brands Campaign, all of the ten biggest food firms work to reduce carbon emissions. American consumers value sustainability and are choosing more healthful foods.

Divisions within Food Sovereignty Movement due to disagreements on meat and fish, opinions on value/sustainability of local food, biotech opinions, and differing strategies, such as emphasis on consumers. Power of corporations in government means lobbying governments is difficult. In many countries, food politics is local. Collective action problems reduce effectiveness.

Famine: Extreme lack of access to food for large percentage of a population in area. Integrated Phase Classification system has set standards for famine. Officially declared by aid agencies. International Food Regime: Sum of organizations and governments working on hunger relief. Headed by World Food Programme. 75% of aid currently goes through WFP. Actual implementation is through NGOs on the ground.

In new Food Aid Convention, no minimum donation for countries and there's no real enforcement. Much of aid is delayed, inadequate, and inappropriate for the circumstances. Concerns about self-interest vs humanitarian interests, especially in PL480 program in US, which gives excess crops and aid is produced and transported by US companies, which is expensive. Market changes and increases in prices have increased crises but donations have decreased. Temporary solution. Not always high nutritional quality.

includes regular, permanent and unrestricted access to food in sufficient quantity and nutritious quality corresponding to cultural traditions. Right to food is the right to food security. First international recognition of right to food is International Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989, which includes right to adequate food for children. Also 1996 World Food Summit declared right to food and committed to reducing hunger. Included in constitutions of 23 countries, in part due to activist pressure. Supporters argue that it benefits powerless, reduces poverty, and strengthens political and social bonds. Opponents say it is anti-capitalist, big government, and undermines economic system.