title: Re-envisioning global agricultural trade: time for a paradigm shift to ensure food security and population health in low-income countries.
abstract: In this commentary, we use examples from West Africa to highlight how the liberalization of global agricultural trade exacerbates population health inequalities by threatening the livelihoods and food security of communities in low-income settings. We highlight the exploitative nature of trade agreements with West African countries demonstrating how these agreements disincentivize local agricultural investment and take jobs away from small-scale farmers. Further, we link agricultural trade liberalization to increased food insecurity, malnutrition, and exposure to environmental contaminants. Finally, we propose a paradigm shift that advocates for food sovereignty and the right to food.
authors.affiliation: Population Health & Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, CHU de Québec Research Centre, Canada Program in International and Community Nutrition. University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA catherine-mclean.pirkle.1@ulaval.ca.
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Pirkle
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sherbrooke University, Canada.
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Poliquin
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health and Social Policy, McGill University, Canada.
authors.forename: Drissa
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sia
authors.affiliation: Université Nangui Abrogoua, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: Kouassi Joseph
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Kouakou
authors.affiliation: Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: Tani
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sagna
mesh_terms: D000354:Africa, Western; D000383:Agriculture / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D003132:Commerce / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D019049:Developed Countries; D003906:Developing Countries; D005523:Food Supply / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D011203:Poverty; D011640:Public Policy
keywords: Africa; environmental health/pollution; equity/social justice; food security; global health/globalization