How food is used as a weapon in conflict and how to end it

This week's issue is about a very timely cross-border investigation that illustrated the shortfalls of the current system in protecting a crucial asset of European agriculture: farm workers. Full disclosure: I played a small role mentoring the team behind this. But I’m writing about it because: 1. It powerfully exposes how Europe’s food system runs on invisible labour, and a personal aim of mine is to encourage more journalists to investigate forces that shape our food and champion those who do it well, 2. For real change to happen, we need to keep banging on about these issues, over time, across multiple platforms, and through a variety of formats, styles, and intermediaries. This is a story about the shocking disconnect between one of the world’s largest and most entrenched agricultural subsidy programmes and a blatant lack of oversight to ensure good labour practices among its beneficiaries. Full credit to Eoghan Gilmartin, Simon Guichard, Silvia Lazzaris, Meriem Mahdhi, Pascale Mueller, Franziska Schwarz, Hélène Servel and Jonas Seufert. https://lnkd.in/dCy8hWTD

"...32% of all employees in the #agricultural sector have no written contract of #employment, compared with 5% for the overall EU workforce."

Thin Lei Win The findings of this cross-border investigation into the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) are a damning indictment of systemic failure. The core issue isn't just poor enforcement, it’s a structural disconnect: 30 farms and owners that breached labour laws or were convicted of worker exploitation still received at least €14 million in CAP subsidies. Despite the 2023 introduction of "social conditionality," the rules are being circumvented by opaque payment channels (cooperatives) and a blatant lack of oversight by member states. This reveals that one of the world's largest agricultural schemes is effectively bankrolling exploitation, primarily against invisible migrant labour, while lawmakers consider plans to further weaken accountability by potentially exempting 70% of EU farms. We cannot achieve a just or sustainable food system when the public funds meant to support it are instead subsidizing worker abuse. Accountability must be non-negotiable, regardless of farm size. #CAPReform #EuropeanAgriculture #FarmWorkers #LabourRights #SocialConditionality #FoodSystem

Equitably Transformative Resilience: how can engaged food scholars take action? Next week, the UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS) meets for its 53rd session with a bold new report entitled Building Resilient Food Systems on the agenda. The report calls for Equitably Transformative Resilience (ETR), a new approach that foregrounds equity, justice, human rights and socio-ecological interdependencies to transform food systems so they are increasingly resilient. 📘 Read the report: https://lnkd.in/gHEfk4-j 🆕 blog by HLPE-FSN drafting team leader Alison Blay-Palmer, and authors Lídia Cabral, Isabel Madzorera, ScD, Johanna W. ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/d7Ui8_Np

This blog highlights ways that action researchers can mobilize knowledge to contribute to what is referred to as Equitably Transformative Resilience in the latest report from the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE-FSN) Nice work, Alison Blay-Palmer , Lídia Cabral , Isabel Madzorera, ScD and Johanna Wilkes !

Our very own Eduardo Nunes has been featured in AgFunderNews. In his guest article, Eduardo discusses global food security, the current financing gap in agriculture, and the role capital markets can play in addressing this systemic risk. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/enyN8rGN

New research from the University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota found that depending on where you live in the United States, the meat you eat each year could be responsible for a level of greenhouse gas emissions that’s similar to what’s emitted to power your house. The study provides a first-of-its kind, systematic analysis that digs into the environmental impacts of the sprawling supply chains that the country relies on for its beef, pork and chicken. myumi.ch/bVz5k

At the 2025 Ag Outlook Forum, NPPC Director of Producer Engagement Lucy Russell joined the panel “Insights on Trump 2.0 and What Lies Ahead for the Ag Economy” with Agri-Pulse Communications Founder Sara Wyant and other industry leaders. Lucy shared perspectives on key priorities for U.S. pork, including navigating trade and California Proposition 12 challenges, MAHA, and other domestic and global issues. She highlighted NPPC’s work to protect producers’ ability to operate freely through policy and advocacy, while also empowering them to have a voice in shaping agriculture’s future through Legislative Education Action Development Resource (LEADR), Legislative Action Conference (LAC), and other grassroots training initiatives. Her remarks made one thing clear: NPPC is committed to keeping producers in the driver’s seat and ensuring their priorities shape the future of U.S. pork.

This is another positive addition to quest for Food Security in Africa. This is a MUST read for donor agencies, developmental organisations, governments, policy makers, students, and anyone interested in building an Africa that feeds itself and the World. Click on the link in the post below to download a FREE copy of volume 1 (and get other subsequent volumes) of the Africa Food Security Manual. Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA)

This is a positive addition to the quest for Food Security in Africa. This is a MUST read for donor agencies, developmental organisations, governments, policy makers, students, and anyone interested in building an Africa that feeds itself and the World. Click on the link in the post below to download volume one (and subsequent volumes) of the Africa Food Security Manual. Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) Coumba D. Sow Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) Bilow Capital Hana Kaise Ahmed Alnoory African Development Bank Group International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)