The European Union, in a statement delivered on 23 June 2026 at the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, urged enhanced participatory governance to include the most food-insecure populations—such as migrants, refugees, and internally displaced persons—in shaping agrifood policies. The statement was made during an interactive dialogue with the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises, following the presentation of the Working Group's report on agribusiness, food security, and human rights.
The EU thanked the Working Group for its report and for organising the Annual Forum on Business and Human Rights, which it described as the largest multistakeholder forum on human rights due diligence. The EU reiterated that its policy on food security is rooted in a rights-based approach that integrates sustainability from farm to fork, viewing adequate food as a fundamental human right rather than a mere commodity. It highlighted the Farm to Fork Strategy as the blueprint for transforming EU food systems, aiming to reduce environmental and climate footprints while ensuring food security and fair economic returns for primary producers. The EU also noted that its policy on food fraud mandates member states to enforce strict, risk-based controls across the entire agri-food chain to detect, deter, and penalise intentional misrepresentation or adulteration of food for financial gain.
The statement concluded with a question to the Working Group on how participatory governance can be enhanced to include the most food-insecure populations in shaping agrifood policies, ensuring that no one is left behind. The EU's intervention underscores its commitment to linking business conduct with human rights obligations in the agrifood sector, particularly for vulnerable groups. The statement did not announce new legislative measures but reaffirmed existing EU frameworks and called for broader inclusion in policy design.