Food sovereignity and food security: concepts and legal framework

The first part of this report briefly addresses three main concepts - 'food sovereignty', 'food security' and the 'right to food' - in the Italian legal context. The Italian Constitution and strategic and legal documents are taken into consideration, together with the most relevant case law. The main finding of the General Part of the report is disappointing from a human rights perspective, since to date only a few regional governments in Italy have formally recognised the right to food. Concerning the Special Part of the Questionnaire, the report notes that in Italian law, there is no clear reference to the relationship between the 'right to adequate food' and the 'governance of the tenure of land, fisheries and forests'. However, it lists legislative acts and initiatives that demonstrate the interest of governments and citizens in improving access to land and the management of agricultural land aimed at the general objective of food security. The report also highlights those Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (VGGTs) which could be relevant in Italy. Among these, the Guidelines on 'Investments' are addressed. The report concludes that a Commission recommendation on EU land governance based on the VGGTs would not be appropriate.