International Food Law

International Food Law provides an overview of the international trading regime in light of international trade in agricultural products and the manner in which this regime deals with national measures concerning food safety, quality and consumer information. The context to these rules and the activities of different actors, like sovereign states, International Organizations (WTO, FAO, Codex Alimentarius Commission) is taken into account. The manner in which the international trading regime emerged and was designed is greatly influenced by the power division between states. This in turn has major consequences for the international approach taken in relation to international trade in agricultural products.

The international trade law regime is complemented by the human rights regime which provides an understanding of food as a human right. We will examine the scope, meaning and content of this right and the corresponding obligations states hold in realizing the right. We will examine how trade rules impact the realization of the right to food and how various actors have sought to challenge and reconceptualize the regimes and how they interact. We will also discuss more recent efforts to reconceptualize food sovereignty.

This course thus provides a critique on the current approach towards international trade in agricultural products from the perspective of human rights and sustainability.

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:

• Interpret key features of international trade law from the perspective of international trade in agricultural products
• Interpret human rights relating to food and achieving sustainability goals as state obligations
• Assess the current (in)balance in the international regulatory framework concerning agricultural products between economic growth and human rights and sustainability
• Explain how different international actors are involved in regulating international trade in agricultural products

Assumed Knowledge:

Having successfully completed Introduction to Law for the Life and Social Sciences (LAW12806) and/or Food Law (LAW31706) is helpful, but not a requirement.