Key adviser on Dutch foreign policy: special food strategy needed for the Netherlands
The Netherlands must swiftly develop a coherent national food strategy to be better prepared for global food crises and to deploy its strong position in international food chains more strategically.
This is the conclusion of the Advisory Council on International Affairs (AIV) in its advisory letter Food Security in a Fragile World, which will be presented on Monday to the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature.
Why?
The advice is prompted by the growing vulnerability of the global food system. Geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts, climate change and disruptions to trade routes are creating major uncertainty. According to the AIV, the recent blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial route for energy supplies and raw materials for fertiliser—could push an additional 45 million people into acute hunger, an increase of more than ten percent. Such shocks also affect the Netherlands, which is heavily dependent on imports of animal feed, fertiliser and energy.
How important is food security?
According to the AIV, food security has become a strategic issue that directly affects the economy, security, climate, biodiversity and migration. “Food security directly affects security, the economy and stability. The Netherlands is in a strong starting position, but this requires clear choices and sustained commitment,” says AIV chair Bert Koenders, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The role of the Netherlands
The Netherlands plays an exceptional role in global food chains, both as a major exporter and as a hub of knowledge, technology and logistics. At the same time, the AIV points to the downside of this position: a large ecological footprint and strategic dependencies on a limited number of suppliers. Without an integrated strategy, the Netherlands risks being insufficiently prepared for future shocks and missing opportunities to deploy its expertise in a targeted way.
What is the council’s advice?
The council therefore advises the cabinet to explicitly make food security a strategic priority. At the heart of its recommendation is the development of an overarching food strategy that links domestic and foreign policy. Resilience, sustainability and health should be central, as well as reducing and diversifying dependencies.
International context
International cooperation is essential in this regard. The AIV argues for long-term, reciprocal partnerships with countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, as well as closer cooperation within the European Union. In addition, as a ‘middle power’, the Netherlands could take the initiative in forming coalitions with other countries that have a strong position in food production or fertiliser, such as Brazil, Canada, South Africa and Morocco, in order to respond more rapidly to food crises.
Without clear choices and a coherent strategy, the AIV warns that food security will continue to be approached in a fragmented manner. In an increasingly unstable world, a long-term vision is essential to effectively combat hunger and to keep the Netherlands resilient and relevant in global food chains.
