SCI Takes Part in Setting up Multi Stakeholder Banana Forum

April 3rd 2009, FAO Headquarters in Rome
The SCI's David Cuming participated in the FAO's first Preparatory Committee meeting for the establishment of a multi-stakeholder forum for sustainable banana production and trade.

According to the FAO, bananas are the fourth most important staple crop in the world with several million people worldwide dependent on banana production and trade for their livelihoods. While Import prices for bananas have been relatively high for three years, exporter and producer prices have increased only marginally and much less than input prices, putting pressure on small farmers, workers and natural resources. Downward pressure on prices has dire consequences for suppliers and impedes social and environmental progress in the sector.

The proposed Banana Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF) is the outcome of a cooperation building process between stakeholders, many of which have been in conflict for a period of years. Faced with a range of economic, environmental and social problems, stakeholders of the banana sector (farmer groups, worker unions, producing and trading companies) have become more open to constructive dialogue to seek sustainable solutions. The international Banana MSF currently holds active participation from key industry players as well as support from civil society organizations, researchers, governments and intergovernmental organizations.

The forum has established thematic working groups to undertake joint field research on best practices in specific areas where key improvements can be made. The SCI will contribute to the Working Group on Governance along with Walmart, Colsiba (Coordinadora Latinoamericana de Sindicatos Bananeros) and Euroban. The next Preparatory Committee meeting will take place at UNCTAD in the fall of 2009.

For more information visit http://www.fao.org/economic/worldbananaforum/wbf-aboutus/en/