By FIAN with contributions from ISPN's advisory team.
The document contains over 30 signatures from around the world against the abolition of CONSEA.
The petition remains open for signatures.
Yesterday, February 13th, copies of the petition promoted by FIAN (Organization for the Human Right to Adequate Food and Nutrition) in conjunction with various national and international entities, including ISPN, against the extinction of the National Council for Food and Nutritional Security, were officially filed. (CONSEA). More than 30 signatures gathered in the documents were delivered to the presidency of the Chamber of Deputies, the Federal Senate, and the Minister of State for Citizenship to be attached to the analysis process of Provisional Measure No. 870/2019.
The petition “Demand Bolsonaro to Bring Back the Brazilian Council for Food Security and Nutrition"(Demand that Bolsonaro reinstate CONSEA) requests a review of the decision to abolish the Council through Provisional Measure No. 870/2019. 'CONSEA needs to continue its work in this Decade of Action on Nutrition, which was proclaimed at the UN General Assembly in 2016, thanks to Brazil's leadership role,' highlights a section of the document, which concludes by requesting signatures in support of the cause."
Despite yesterday's protocol, the petition remains open for signatures, and new political actions are planned for the coming weeks – when the National Congress will analyze the Provisional Measure. There is still time for those who wish to sign the petition and participate in the events, including a large-scale protest on February 27th (information at the end of the article) to remind Brazilian congressmen of the importance of keeping CONSEA active and functioning.
Remember the case
On January 1, 2019, upon taking office, the president-elect of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, issued Provisional Measure No. 870 which, among numerous decisions, revoked provisions contained in the Organic Law on Food and Nutritional Security (Losan), approved by the National Congress in 2006.
This partial repeal of LOSAN caused a huge and serious alteration to Consea. Among other modifications, it removed the description of the Council as a component of the National Food and Nutrition Security System (SISAN) and, in addition, it removed its composition of 1/3 government and 2/3 civil society, with a civil society presidency.
CONSEA was an institutional space for social control and participation of society in the formulation, monitoring, and evaluation of public policies on food and nutritional security, with a view to promoting the realization of the Human Right to Adequate Food.
ISPN and the movement for the return of CONSEA
ISPN joins the chorus calling for the return of the National Council for Food and Nutritional Security (CONSEA), understanding that this is a fundamental body for guaranteeing the food and nutritional security of the Brazilian population. Several agro-extractive families linked to projects supported by the organization are part of policies that were monitored and strengthened by CONSEA, such as the Food Acquisition Program (PAA) and the National School Feeding Policy (PNAE). “If CONSEA doesn't exist, the policy that brings healthy food to children in schools loses strength,” said Luciano Carvalho, from COOPINDAIA, a beneficiary of the PPP-ECOS program of ISPN.
Read the Portuguese version of the petition below >>>> And sign here!
To the Presidents of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate and to the Minister of State for Citizenship of Brazil
On January 1, 2019, the President-elect of Brazil, Mr. Jair Bolsonaro, upon taking office, issued Provisional Measure No. 870 which, among numerous decisions, revokes provisions contained in the Organic Law on Food and Nutritional Security (LOSAN), approved by the National Congress in 2006. LOSAN's fundamental objective is to structure a national system of public policies for the realization of the Human Right to Adequate Food.
The changes deeply undermine the operational logic of the National Food and Nutritional Security System (Sisan) by eliminating the National Council for Food and Nutritional Security (CONSEA).
Throughout its history, the Council has been an example of representation from the most diverse sectors of Brazilian society, especially those that suffer most from the consequences of food insecurity. The demands, experiences, and proposals from these sectors have contributed decisively to the improvement and proposition of new public policies.
It is within CONSEA that legitimate and institutional dialogue has been taking place between civil society and the government for the formulation of public policies to guarantee healthy food for the entire population. The following achievements can be cited: the inclusion of the right to food in the Brazilian Federal Constitution, the approval of the Organic Law, the National Policy and Plan for Food and Nutritional Security, the Family Farming Harvest Plan, the National Policy on Agroecology and Organic Production, the Food Acquisition Program, and the purchase of food from family farms by the National School Feeding Program and other public bodies.
The results of this process led to significant improvements in the quality of life of the Brazilian population, especially the most vulnerable, and removed Brazil from the FAO Hunger Map in 2014. Alongside tackling the problem of hunger, actions have also been taken to address the increase in obesity and non-communicable chronic diseases, which represent serious issues in Brazil. Therefore, the governance model in Food and Nutritional Security and the experience of CONSEA have been internationally recognized and have served as inspiration for several countries.
Therefore, aware of CONSEA's role in these achievements, and as defenders of democratic spaces for the formulation of public policies, we request that the decision to dissolve this council be reviewed. CONSEA needs to continue its work in this Decade of Action on Nutrition, which was proclaimed at the UN General Assembly in 2016, thanks to Brazil's leadership role.
About the Big Feast
Via the Union of Social and Cultural Assistance Workers of the Federal District Government
The "Banquetaço" (Big Feast) is an act of solidarity with those who need public food provision, a gathering around the table aimed at social inclusion. We are a non-partisan political movement that mobilizes civil society, social movements, organizations, collectives, and professionals for food sovereignty and security. A movement defending good food in Brazil. A collective that mobilizes networks and, through public banquets, makes urgent political and food issues visible and pressures for decisions in favor of the human right to adequate food.
In 2017, farmers, nutritionists, members of the São Paulo Municipal Food Council, cooks, and activists held a demonstration in front of the São Paulo Municipal Theater where 2.000 free meals were served. The meals included food produced by organic farmers from the city of São Paulo, donations of spices and Unconventional Food Plants (PANCs) from the USP (University of São Paulo) garden, food donations from businesses, and the collection of food that would have been discarded by CEASA (the central wholesale market). In 2018, after the fire in Largo Paissandu, the activists of the "Banquetaço" (a large-scale food drive) organized themselves in two kitchens provided by local restaurant owners and served food to the homeless.
In Goiás, the last "Banquetaço" (a large-scale protest involving organic food) culminated in the approval of a public policy that includes organic products in school meals. Currently, the activist group has been supporting the #ChegadeAgrotóxicos (Enough of Pesticides) platform and fighting for the approval of the PNaRA – National Policy for the Reduction of Pesticides.
Currently, the "Banquetaço" (Big Feast) movement is organizing simultaneous events in several states in favor of maintaining CONSEA (National Council for Food and Nutritional Security). The idea is to bring society together around a bountiful table, with good, clean, and fair food, on February 27th, starting at 12 pm in various cities across the country, to denounce the risk of CONSEA's extinction, which hinders the fulfillment of the Right to Adequate and Healthy Food. In Brasília, the event will take place near the Conjunto Nacional (outside the bus station), with various representatives from civil society.
The Baquetaço collective calls upon civil and political society (especially decision-makers, such as the presidents of the Chamber of Deputies, the Federal Senate, and the Ministry of Citizenship) to recognize the importance of CONSEA, and the legitimate desire for democratic participation by citizens willing to contribute their knowledge to the design of plans and projects that promote the human right to adequate and healthy food in the country.