DEFINING THE CONCEPT

Although there is no universal definition of the concept of food sovereignty, the one most often used comes from the Food Sovereignty Network (De los Pueblos, 2002):

Food Sovereignty is the people's right to make decisions about their own food and agriculture, to protect and regulate domestic production and marketing to meet sustainable development goals; to decide the extent to which they want to be self-sufficient; to limit the dumping of products in their markets; and to give small fishing communities priority in the management and use of and rights to their aquatic resources. Food sovereignty does not invalidate trade, but rather fosters the formulation of trade policies and practices that are at the service of people's right to food and to harmless, healthy and ecologically sustainable production.

The concept promoted by Vía Campesina demonstrates that food security cannot be achieved without taking food producers into consideration. Any debate that ignores the contribution of farm workers, small farmer organizations, small and medium-size producers and indigenous peoples in all regions of the world will fail to eradicate poverty and hunger. Food is a basic human right. This right can only be assured in a system in which food sovereignty is guaranteed.

In most developing countries, regulations and policies governing national and international agricultural trade have been imposed by structural adjustment programs or the World Trade Organization. Vía Campesina emphasizes "the right of every nation to maintain and develop its own food-production capability, which is decisive for national and communal food security, respecting cultural diversity and the diversity of production methods."