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Interpretive Statements
The U.S. delegation filed a number of interpretive statements in connection with the Rome Declaration and Plan of Action adopted by the Summit on November 13, 1996. The U.S. delegation also filed replies to the Iraqi and Marshall Island statements. These submissions will appear in the report of the World Food Summit.
Interpretative statements for the record by the Government of the United States of America
I. ROME DECLARATION ON WORLD FOOD SECURITY
First Paragraph:
The United States understands and accepts the provisions of the Rome Declaration on World Food Security and the World Food Summit Plan of Action regarding the "right of everyone to have access to safe and nutritious food" to mean that governments should not interfere with the effective opportunity or ability of their citizens to obtain safe and nutritious food.
In joining consensus on this and other similar paragraphs, the United States does not recognize any change in the current state of conventional or customary international law regarding rights related to food. The United States believes that the attainment of any "right to adequate food" or "fundamental right to be free from hunger" is a goal or aspiration to be realized progressively that does not give rise to any international obligations nor diminish the responsibilities of national governments toward their citizens.
Fourth Paragraph:
The United States understands and accepts the reference to a "right to development" in this and other paragraphs of the Rome Declaration on World Food Security and the World Food Summit Plan of Action to mean a right inherent in the individual that is an integral part of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. The lack of development cannot be invoked to justify abridgment of internationally recognized human rights.
Seventh Paragraph:
The United States understands that the sentences in this paragraph are linked and must be read together, in the sense that all measures by a State affecting food security must be consistent with the charter of the United Nations and international law.
Ninth Paragraph:
The United States understands the reference to external debt relief for developing countries to mean such measures as may be mutually agreed between the debtors and creditors.
Tenth Paragraph:
The United States understands that this paragraph describes the actions States intend to take individually through their own national policies and collectively, as appropriate, with a view to realizing the goals enumerated.
II. WORLD FOOD SUMMIT PLAN OF ACTION
Twelfth Paragraph:
The United States understands and accepts this paragraph to require actions taken by governments to implement the Plan of Action through the national laws and polices which must be in conformity with all human rights and fundamental freedoms. Various religious and ethical values, cultural backgrounds and philosophical convictions do not diminish the need for full respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Fifty-third Paragraph:
With regard to subparagraph (e), the United Stated notes that it is not among those countries that have agreed to an official development assistance target. Such a target would detract from the more important issues of the effectiveness and quality of aid and the policies in the recipient country. The United States will continue to provide high quality aid on a case-by case basis as appropriate.
Sixty-first Paragraph:
The United States understands and accepts that calls for action under particular treaties are germane only to States that are party to those treaties. Moreover, any specific actions called for can only be within the mandates of the organizations or bodies concerned. The United States does not understand this paragraph to support the development of any treaty, international agreement, or code of conduct regarding food security.
As to subparagraph (e), the United States believes that the term " voluntary guidelines" refers to voluntary programs to be implemented at national level to ensure that governments do not interfere with the effective opportunity or ability of their citizens to obtain safe and nutritious food, and which can be supplemented by other voluntary standards such as the donor guidelines for humanitarian food aid being developed within the OECD Development Assistance Committee.
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