It is striking that the majority of those who are hungry in the world today are also part of the food system. Small, independent food producers and waged agricultural workers represent an important percentage of people who appear in statistics on undernutrition or malnutrition.

They probably represent around half of the world’s undernourished. It is therefore essential to consider how the sourcing, pricing, and wage policies of commodity buyers, food processors and retailers are aligned with the requirements of the right to food.

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I took on the role of UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food in 2008, just as food prices were soaring to unprecedented heights on global markets.

Food riots ensued and hunger deepened in poor, food-importing countries - but there was one silver lining. The imbalances of our food systems, which had been building up over the past forty years, suddenly became visible.

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