IIED ISSUE PAPER

particularly agricultural producers, has also shaped the The national legal context is important for determining
inclusion of environmental topics in the MSM’s work. how a small number of MSMs (PAQ in Ecuador and
the French National Food Council) tackle specific
The institutional ‘location’ of the SFS MSMs and the
environmental topics. Within the framework of the
organisation that oversees the implementation of related
French Anti-Waste law (Loi relative à la lutte contre le
sustainable food policies likely influences how — and
gaspillage et à l’économie circulaire, AGEC), which
how much — environmental sustainability is approached
aims to eliminate single-use plastic by 2040 and ban
through the MSM’s activities. For example, the fact that
plastic packaging for fruit and vegetables, the CNA
responsibility for implementation of the Ghent food
was asked by the ministries it works with to develop an
strategy sits with the city’s Climate and Environment
opinion on the sustainable use of food packaging.15 In
Department means that sustainability — in this case
this case, the CNA’s decision to work on a particular
especially climate change — is an important focus
environmental issue was in response to the request from
of the MSM. Similarly, the LA County Food Equity
all of its associated ministries.
Roundtable, a cross-sector committee formed in 2021
to which the LAFPC belongs, is primarily focused on
food access — but the fact that it is co-chaired by the
county’s Sustainability Office has likely led to greater
integration of environmental issues (e.g. Goal 4: support
sustainability and resilience in food systems and supply
chains, LA County).

15
See Opinions 86, 87 and 88.

www.iied.org 29