International approaches to the intersections between the Human Rights to Food and Culture: a case study based on the agrochemical threat to honey availability

Abstract

Our research explores the cultural aspects of the Right to Food, as well as the connections between this right and the Right to Culture, from a Human Rights perspective. This was done by exploratory research on both legal conceptual frameworks, as well as a case study on the current concern regarding honey production and availability due to bee disappearance. This disappearance is highly connected to the use of agrochemicals and similar technologies in agricultural production. From this standpoint, we propose a conceptual approach to the intersection between the Human Right to Food and the Human Right to Culture, attempting to offer a framework that gives a satisfactory answer to the problem of how to protect and regulate the cultural elements of food production, distribution, and consumption. First, we analyse the supposition that there’s a cultural element in food, that varies from society to society but remains a conceptual constant and part of our relation to food as a species. Secondly, we look at honey as a cultural element, both in history and in economics. Third, we show the correlation between agrochemicals, pesticides, and GMOs, and the issues of bee disappearance, colony collapse, etc. Lastly, we propose an interconnected Human Rights approach based on the dialogues between food and cultural rights.