The World Trade Organization’s legal framework and Africa’s food security

van der Ven, Colette and Luke, David (2025) The World Trade Organization’s legal framework and Africa’s food security. In: Luke, David, (ed.) How Africa Eats: Trade, Food Security and Climate Risks. LSE Press, London, UK, 213 - 242. ISBN 9781911712343

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Abstract

This chapter undertakes an assessment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) legal framework in relation to food security in Africa. It begins by positing an often-overlooked paradox: the contradictory role that food security plays in international trade. Countries with the means to subsidise production provide food not only for domestic consumption but also for trading in open markets or for giving away as food aid. This enhances global food availability but disincentivises production in poorer and net food-importing countries. Much of the work on food and agriculture in the multilateral trading system is aimed at resolving this conundrum.

Item Type:	Book Section
Additional Information:	© 2025 The Author(s)
Divisions:	Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HF Commerce H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor K Law > K Law (General)
Date Deposited:	15 Jul 2025 15:33
Last Modified:	15 Jul 2025 23:19
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/128845

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