South American countries discuss food supplies

South American agriculture ministers have held a virtual meeting to discuss harmonising regulations and facilitating cross-border food supplies during the emergency.

The meeting was attended by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia and Peru. The parties involved agreed to draw up a document containing joint protocols to ensure the free movement of goods by road between countries, including Colombia.

“We have to keep ahead of the curve by anticipating even worse scenarios,” said Brazil’s Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina.

The talks followed a warning issued by FAO, which last week urged the world to take rapid action to keep the global food supply chain secured.