NFU urges Canadian RAI negotiators to respect indigenous land rights

On August 7 the NFU sent the following message to the Canadian negotiators who are in Rome to negotiate the UN Committee for World Food Security's Principles for Responsible Investment Agriculture and Food Systems .

Dear Canadian Negotiators

RE: Negotiation of the First Draft of the CFS Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems

It has come to the attention of the National Farmers Union that Canada is taking a position that would prevent the recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples to free, prior and informed consent in relation to decision-making regarding their lands when affected by potential agricultural investment. We insist that Canada behave honourably in international negotiations, and this requires respecting the rights of indigenous peoples to make meaningful and binding decisions regarding their lands. We urge you, as spokespersons and negotiators in this international process, to remove your objection to language that recognizes the rights of indigenous peoples.

Sincerely,

Jan Slomp,

President, National Farmers Union

For more information, context and perspective on the Responsible Investment in Agriculture initiative and the UN Committee for World Food Security, please read The CSM and the rai – by Philip McMichael and A Stormy Journey to Rome by Faris Ahmed. The Civil Society Mechanism (CSM) is a body of the United Nations made up of citizen's organizations (not governments) to influence agriculture, food security and nutrition policies and actions – nationally, regionally and globally.