Agriculture, fisheries seek inclusion in APEC investment priorities

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) urged member economies of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to include agriculture and fisheries in their investment promotion priorities to address food security issues in the region.

Opening the APEC Policy Partnership on Food Security (PPFS) Meeting in Iloilo Friday, BFAR director Asis Perez said food security “goes beyond increased food production” and involves availability and accessibility of foodstuff.

“With the private sector’s growing role in agriculture and fisheries, it is high time that we recognize their importance in terms of promoting trade, market access and investments along the food value chain, guided by public policies, laws and regulations,” he said.

“It is vital that we share a common vision for food security wherein both the public and private sectors are in convergence—playing significant and complementary roles,” he added.

The PPFS is a forum for stakeholders in the public and private agriculture and food institutions in APEC member economies.

During the meeting, stakeholders discussed policy issues related to food security. When the meeting was first formed in 2012, a roadmap for attaining food security was created.

Under this roadmap, APEC member economies seek to attain a food system structure that would provide a long-lasting solution to food security issues in the region by 2020.

“Food security is when people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life,” said Perez.

This year’s PPFS meeting is chaired by Perez and is participated in by representatives from Australia; People’s Republic of China; Hong Kong; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; Philippines; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States and Vietnam.

The APEC region faces food security concerns in the form of rising food prices and periods of price volatility.