COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS CONTINUES DISCUSSION ON RIGHT TO ADEQUATE FOOD

AFTERNOON
HR/ESC/99/23
10 May 1999


The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights this afternoon continued to discuss a draft general comment on the right to adequate food.

In the debate, some Committee experts underlined that food should be defined as the dietary need for human beings. One expert said that "good food" was needed in order that people be in good health at all times. There was a shortage of food in some developing countries, while in developed nations, excess food caused cardio-vascular problems. The definition of food, therefore, should focus on its quality to maintain good health.

The Committee had before it a draft general comment on the right to adequate food prepared by one of its Committee members and another provided by external experts. Some Committee experts said that inclusion of the text presented by external experts was equally useful for their work.

The Committee adjourned its meeting after forming a small working group to prepare a revised and consolidated text on the general comment on the right to adequate food by tomorrow.

The Committee has previously adopted general comments on specific articles of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to assist State parties in their implementation of those rights enshrined in the treaty. According to article 11 of the Covenant, States should take measures to improve methods of production, conservation and distribution of food by making full use of technical and scientific knowledge.

When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 11 May, it is expected to adopt its general comment on the right to adequate food.