More than 90% of the production of our food is directly or indirectly produced on our soils. However, according to the FAO, a third of the world’s soil has degraded and over 90% could become degraded by 2050.

Our current agriculture is putting the food security of future generations at risk. We face an unprecedented challenge: to produce more food for the world's growing population with limited land resources and to regenerate soil for tomorrow's food security.

In this context I would like to share three points about the role of trade for food security:

First, the role of trade. Trade not only allows food to be produced where it is most economically and environmentally efficient, but also facilitates access to digital and other technologies and services needed to improve soil management and monitor soil quality.

Second, how governments spend their money matters. More than US$600 billion is spent by governments on agriculture each year.

• The WTO rules provide considerable opportunities for governments to improve soil health through environment programmes, investment in research, the provision of advisory services, and training for agricultural producers.
• On the other hand, subsidies that encourage unsustainable agricultural practices and lead to overproduction need to be reduced. This would free up much-needed resources to promote sustainable food production.

Third, we have an opportunity to update the WTO's agricultural rulebook to enable it to address such contemporary challenges more effectively. The opportunity is now to secure an outcome at the forthcoming 12th WTO Ministerial Conference.  Strengthening the rules on harmful subsidies and making trade flows more predictable and seamless would be an important commitment to future food security. 

Ministers of agriculture have the key part to play in developing new rules to ensure food security for all, now and in the future.