Project

Discipline

Sustainable Trade Relations ; Role of the Public Sector; Product Differentiation based on PPMs; Principle of Non-discrimination; Interpretation of Art. 104d of Swiss Constitution; Diversified Food Systems; Switzerland, EU, Germany, France, Bolivia, Laos; Concrete Regulatory Responses ; Inter- and transdisciplinary approach

Lead
Ernährungssysteme sind miteinander verflochten. Sie nachhaltiger zu gestalten, erfordert ein gemeinsames Vorgehen. In diesem Projekt untersuchen wir, wie Staaten mittels nachhaltiger Handelsbeziehungen diversifizierte Ernährungssysteme fördern können, die aus Nachhaltigkeitssicht wertvoll sind.
Lay summary
Hintergrund Das Projekt hat das Potenzial, festgefahrene Positionen in der Handelsdebatte aufzuweichen. Es wird aufzeigen, wie Staaten in ihren Handelsbeziehungen zwischen nachhaltig und weniger nachhaltig produzierten Lebensmitteln unterscheiden können, ohne dabei wichtige Grundsätze des Handelsrechts - wie etwa das Gebot der Nicht-Diskriminierung - zu verletzen. Ziel Wir möchten vielfältige Ernährungssysteme im In- und Ausland über differenziert ausgestaltete Handelsbeziehungen fördern. Dabei konzentrieren wir uns auf die Rolle des Staates. Insbesondere wollen wir aufzeigen, wie die öffentliche Hand zwischen nachhaltig und weniger nachhaltig produzierten Lebensmitteln auf kontextgerechte Art und Weise unterscheiden kann, um Handelsanreize danach auszurichten. Gleichzeitig werden wir das theoretische und empirische Wissen, das diesen Massnahmen zugrundeliegt, in verschiedenen wissenschaftlichen Disziplinen stärken. Bedeutung Werden Handelsbeziehungen künftig differenzierter ausgestaltet und auf die Förderung vielfältiger Ernährungssysteme ausgerichtet, kann die Transformation hin zu einer nachhaltigeren Ernährungswirtschaft massgeblich vorangetrieben werden.

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Last update: 22.07.2019

Lead
Les systèmes alimentaires sont interdépendants. Les transformer en systèmes durables requiert donc des efforts conjoints. Dans ce projet nous étudions comment les gouvernements peuvent établir des relations commerciales afin de promouvoir des systèmes alimentaires diversifiés es plus durables.
Lay summary
Contexte Le projet a le potentiel de remettre en question des frontières depuis longtemps établies dans le débat commercial. Il illustre comment les gouvernements peuvent établir une distinction entre les denrées alimentaires produites de manière plus ou moins durable dans leurs relations commerciales sans enfreindre les principes fondamentaux du cadre commercial, y compris le principe de non-discrimination. Objectif Nous avons pour objectif de promouvoir des systèmes alimentaires diversifiés en Suisse comme à l’étranger en élaborant un cadre légal dans lequel inscrire des réglementations commerciales plus durables. Nous nous concentrons sur le rôle et l’influence du secteur public. En particulier nous identifions des procédures permettant d’établir une distinction entre les denrées alimentaires produites de manière plus ou moins durable en fonction des contextes afin que des incitations commerciales puissent être mises en place d’après ces critères. Par ailleurs, nous visons à renforcer les fondements théoriques et empiriques sur lesquelles ont été établies les réponses régulatrices développées par diverses disciplines. Importance Si les relations commerciales futures deviennent plus nuancées et assurent explicitement la promotion de systèmes alimentaires diversifiés, cela constituera un levier essentiel pour stimuler la transition vers une économie durable.

Direct link to Lay Summary

Last update: 22.07.2019

Lead
Food systems are interdependent. Transforming them into sustainable food systems thus requires a joint effort. In this project, we examine how governments can create more sustainable trade relations in order to promote diversified food systems of a high sustainability value.
Lay summary
Background The project has the potential to push long-established frontiers in the trade debate. It will illustrate how governments can draw a line between more and less sustainably produced food in their trade relations, without violating basic principles of the trade framework, including the principle of non-discrimination. Aim We aim at supporting diversified food systems both in Switzerland and abroad by framing more sustainable trade regulations. We focus on the role and leverage of the public sector. In particular, we identify ways of distinguishing between sustainably and unsustainably produced food in a context-sensitive manner in order to apply trade incentives along these criteria. Simultaneously, we aim at strengthening the theoretical and empirical foundations of the developed regulatory responses in various academic disciplines. Relevance If future trade relations become more nuanced and explicitly promote diversified food systems, this will be a crucial lever to advance transformation towards a sustainable economy.

Direct link to Lay Summary

Last update: 22.07.2019

Natural persons

Active participation

Active participation

Communication	Title	Media	Place	Year

Number	Title	Start	Funding scheme

NRP 73, 2nd callCorresponding applicant: Elisabeth Buergi BonanomiFurther applicants: Eva Maria Belser; Stefan MannSustainable Trade Relations for Diversified Food SystemsThe food systems of the Global North and South are interdependent. Transforming them into sustainable food systems - as required by Sustainable Development Goals 2 and 12 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development - thus requires a joint effort. Of particular relevance in this regard is the way in which trade relations are shaped. Given the sustainability challenges associated with food production, processing, and trade, citizens are increasingly calling on domestic governments to engage in sustainable agricultural trade relations. But how can a state achieve this in a responsible and balanced way, respecting the sovereignty of its partner countries? What trade measures can it use to incentivize sustainable food systems? How can it draw a line between sustainable and unsustainable food production? And how can it do so in an effective, proportionate, context-sensitive, fair, non-discriminatory, and reliable way, complying with its international obligations and the objectives enshrined in its constitution? With this research project, we aim to provide concrete answers to these questions. We will develop a framework of legal principles governing diversified, sustainable farming systems to inform trade measures; and we will point out legal entry points in Switzerland and other consumer countries, including the European Union. Further, we will develop a draft regulatory framework for Switzerland.The applicants have opted for an unconventional research approach. The project has a legal backbone, but at the same time it is highly inter- and transdisciplinary. A group of renowned experts with extensive academic and practical experience in their respective fields will bring together insights from different disciplines and knowledge communities to inform work on the project’s overarching research question and to disseminate results. This project has the potential to push long-established frontiers and break down barriers related to public involvement in product differentiation based on processes and production methods. If future trade measures at different levels of governance are shaped in a more nuanced way to explicitly promote diversified food systems, this will be a crucial lever to advance transformation towards greater sustainability.