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Bill
Notes

H.R. 5656 — what changed

Global Food Security Act of 2014

From Introduced in House to Engrossed in House. 6 sections amended and 1 removed between Introduced in House and Engrossed in House.

Section 1 Short title

changed This Act may be cited as the “Feed the Future Global “Global Food Security Act of 2014”.

Sec. 2 Statement of policy objectives; sense of Congress

(a)
added Statement of policy objectives— It is in the national security interest of the United States to promote global food security and nutrition, consistent with national food security investment plans, which is reinforced through programs, activities, and initiatives that—
(1)
added accelerate inclusive, agricultural-led economic growth that reduces global poverty, hunger, and malnutrition, particularly among women and children;
(2)
added increase the productivity, incomes, and livelihoods of small-scale producers, especially women, by working across agricultural value chains and expanding producer access to local and international markets;
(3)
added build resilience to food shocks among vulnerable populations and households while reducing reliance upon emergency food assistance;
(4)
added create an enabling environment for agricultural growth and investment, including through the promotion of secure and transparent property rights;
(5)
added improve the nutritional status of women and children, with a focus on reducing child stunting, including through the promotion of highly nutritious foods, diet diversification, and nutritional behaviors that improve maternal and child health;
(6)
added align with and leverage broader United States investments in trade, economic growth, science and technology, maternal and child health, and water, sanitation, and hygiene; and
(7)
added ensure the effective use of United States taxpayer dollars to further these objectives.

removed Congress finds the following:

(b)
changed Sense of Congress— For more than 60 years, It is the United States has provided consistent global leadership in addressing food security and investing in agricultural development, research, innovation and humanitarian assistance, particularly sense of the Congress that the President, in Africa, Latin America and South Asia.providing assistance to implement the Global Food Security Strategy, should—
(1)
added coordinate, through a whole-of-government approach, the efforts of relevant Federal departments and agencies to implement the Global Food Security Strategy;
(2)
added utilize, to the extent possible, open and streamlined solicitations to allow for the participation of a wide range of implementing partners via the most appropriate contracting mechanism; and
(3)
added continue to strengthen existing partnerships between developing country institutions of agricultural sciences with universities in the United States, with a focus on building the capacities of developing nation universities in agriculture.
(2)
removed Nevertheless, according to the January 2014 Worldwide Threat Assessment of the United States Intelligence Community report, “lack of adequate food will be a destabilizing factor in countries important to United States national security that do not have the financial or technical abilities to solve their internal food security problems,” and “food and nutrition insecurity in weakly governed countries might also provide opportunities for insurgent groups to capitalize on poor conditions, exploit international food aid, and discredit governments for their inability to address basic needs”.
(3)
removed According to the most recent estimates of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, globally more than 805,000,000 people suffer from chronic hunger. In addition, approximately 165,000,000 (or 1 in 4) children under the age of 5 are stunted, with 80 percent of the world’s stunted children living in just 14 countries. Mounting evidence from several peer-reviewed studies provide compelling evidence that undernutrition during the critical first 1,000 day window until age two leads to stunting, a lifelong condition of poor health, impaired cognitive and physical development, and diminished productivity.
(4)
removed The provision of folic acid as a supplement to women of childbearing years has resulted in benefits, including a reduction in incidents of autism in some populations.
(5)
removed The African Union Commission Cost of Hunger in Africa study estimated that the economic costs associated with child undernutrition are substantial—from 2 percent to 16 percent of the gross national product (GNP) in several African nations. For instance, this cost was estimated at $4,700,000,000 in Ethiopia in 2009 alone, which is the equivalent of 16 percent of Ethiopia’s GNP.
(6)
removed The Feed the Future Initiative (FTF) is the United States flagship global hunger and food security program. The primary objectives of FTF are to improve food security by increasing productivity and incomes as well as reducing hunger and to improve nutrition among 140,000,000 of the world’s poorest people in 19 priority countries. Feed the Future focuses on improving the lives of smallholder farmers, especially women and children.
(7)
removed FTF leverages partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders—including private voluntary organizations, universities, faith-based groups, international and domestic research organizations, community-based organizations and cooperatives—harnesses new innovations and technologies, builds local capacity and sustainability, links to the global economy, and adheres to rigor, transparency and accountability.
(8)
removed Its whole-of-government approach to food security brings together agriculture, economic growth, trade facilitation, nutrition, development, and humanitarian programs to achieve unprecedented results. For example, preliminary data indicates child stunting rates in Ethiopia have declined at a 3.3 percent annual rate over the past 3 years, such that there are currently 160,000 fewer stunted children in Ethiopia despite population growth over this period.
(9)
removed In 2013, FTF reached more than 7,000,000 farmers and other food producers resulting in the employment of new technologies and management practices on more than 4,000,000 hectares of land. Also in 2013, the initiative reached more than 12,500,000 children with high impact nutrition interventions such as micronutrient supplementation improving both health and development.
(10)
removed To increase responsible private agricultural investment, private sector executives and African leaders launched the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition (New Alliance). Since 2012, the New Alliance has expanded from three to ten African countries and approximately 180 African and international companies have committed to investing over $10,000,000,000 in African agriculture.

Sec. 3 Definitions

changed It is the sense of Congress that United States efforts to end extreme global poverty should build upon the progress and successes of the Feed the Future Initiative in supporting agricultural development and addressing chronic hunger and malnutrition.In this Act:

(1)
added Agriculture— The term agriculture means crops, livestock, fisheries, and forestries.
(2)
added Appropriate congressional committees— The term appropriate congressional committees means—
(A)
added the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(B)
added the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate;
(C)
added the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(D)
added the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives;
(E)
added the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives; and
(F)
added the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(3)
added Feed the future innovation labs— The term Feed the Future Innovation Labs means research partnerships led by United States universities that advance solutions to reduce global hunger, poverty, and malnutrition.
(4)
added Global Food Security Strategy— The term Global Food Security Strategy means the strategy developed and implemented pursuant to section 4(a).
(5)
added Food and nutrition security— The term food and nutrition security means access to, and availability, utilization, and stability of, sufficient food to meet caloric and nutritional needs for an active and healthy life.
(6)
added Malnutrition— The term malnutrition means poor nutritional status caused by nutritional deficiency or excess.
(7)
added Resilience— The term resilience means the ability of people, households, communities, countries, and systems to mitigate, adapt to, and recover from shocks and stresses to food security in a manner that reduces chronic vulnerability and facilitates inclusive growth.
(8)
added Relevant Federal departments and agencies— The term relevant Federal departments and agencies means the United States Agency for International Development, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, the Department of State, the Department of the Treasury, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the Peace Corps, the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the United States African Development Foundation, the United States Geological Survey, and any other department or agency specified by the President for purposes of this section.
(9)
added Small-scale producer— The term small-scale producer means farmers, pastoralists, foresters, and fishers that have a low-asset base and limited resources, including land, capital, skills and labor, and, in the case of farmers, typically farm on fewer than 5 hectares of land.

Sec. 4 Comprehensive global food security strategy

(a)
added Strategy— The President shall coordinate the development and implementation of a United States whole-of-government strategy to accomplish the policy objectives set forth in section 2(a), which shall—
(1)
added support and be aligned with country-owned agriculture, nutrition, and food security policy and investment plans developed with input from relevant governmental and nongovernmental sectors within partner countries and regional bodies, including representatives of the private sector, agricultural producers, including women and small-scale producers, international and local civil society organizations, faith-based organizations, research institutions, and farmers as reasonable and appropriate;
(2)
added support inclusive agricultural value chain development, with small-scale producers, especially women, gaining greater access to the inputs, skills, networking, bargaining power, financing, and market linkages needed to sustain their long-term economic prosperity;
(3)
added seek to improve the nutritional status of women and children, particularly during the critical first 1,000-day window until a child reaches 2 years of age, with a focus on reducing child stunting;
(4)
added seek to ensure the long-term success of programs by building the capacity of local organizations and institutions;
(5)
added integrate resilience strategies into food security programs, such that chronically vulnerable populations are better able to build safety nets, secure livelihoods, access markets, and access opportunities from longer-term economic growth;
(6)
added develop community and producer resiliency to natural disasters, emergencies, and natural occurrences that adversely impact agricultural yield;
(7)
added harness science, technology, and innovation, including the research conducted at Feed the Future Innovation Labs, or any successor entities, throughout the United States;
(8)
added support integrating agricultural development activities among food insecure populations living in proximity to designated national parks or wildlife areas to support wildlife conservation efforts;
(9)
added leverage resources and expertise through partnerships with the private sector, farm organizations, cooperatives, civil society, faith-based organizations, research entities, and academic institutions;
(10)
added support collaboration, as appropriate, between United States universities and public and private institutions in developing countries to promote agricultural development and innovation;
(11)
added set clear and transparent selection criteria for target countries, regions, and intended beneficiaries of assistance to implement the Global Food Security Strategy;
(12)
added set specific and measurable goals, targets, and time frames, and a plan of action consistent with the policy objectives described in section 2(a);
(13)
added seek to ensure that target countries respect and promote the lawful land tenure rights of local communities, particularly those of women and small-scale producers; and
(14)
added include criteria and methodology for graduating countries from assistance to implement the Global Food Security Strategy once the countries have achieved certain benchmarks.

removed It is the policy of the United States—

(b)
changed Coordination— to reduce global poverty and hunger The President shall coordinate, through a comprehensive food security whole-of-government approach, the efforts of relevant Federal departments and nutrition strategy known as agencies in the Feed implementation of the Future Initiative (FTF);Global Food Security Strategy by—
(1)
added establishing monitoring and evaluation systems, coherence, and coordination across relevant Federal departments and agencies; and
(2)
added establishing platforms for regular consultation and collaboration with key stakeholders, including—
(A)
added multilateral institutions;
(B)
added private voluntary organizations;
(C)
added cooperatives;
(D)
added the private sector;
(E)
added local nongovernmental and civil society organizations;
(F)
added faith-based organizations;
(G)
added congressional committees; and
(H)
added other stakeholders, as appropriate.
(2)
removed to implement FTF using a whole of government approach;
(3)
removed to promote agricultural development to help transform local economies, increase political stability, and expand trade;
(4)
removed to focus on country-led agricultural priorities in partnership with local governments, donor organizations, multilateral institutions, the private sector, civil society, and international and university research institutions in the United States;
(5)
removed to increase the productivity, incomes and livelihoods of small-scale producers, especially women, by working across agricultural value chains and expanding farmer access to local and international markets;
(6)
removed to promote secure and transparent land rights in order to enable responsible investment in agriculture;
(7)
removed to target research, develop new technologies, utilize extension agents, and improve post-harvest storage in order to reduce food waste;
(8)
removed to improve the nutrition of women and children, with a focus on reducing child stunting;
(9)
removed to expand access to diverse and quality foods and enhance nutrition-related behaviors that improve maternal and child health; and
(10)
removed to increase the resilience of vulnerable communities and households by building capacity in safety nets and decreasing the need for emergency assistance.

Sec. 5 Assistance to implement the Global Food Security Strategy

(a)
added In general— The President is authorized to provide assistance to implement the Global Food Security Strategy pursuant to the authorities of section 103, section 103A, title XII of chapter 2 of part I, and chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151a, 2151a–1, 2220a et seq., and 2346 et seq.) notwithstanding any other provision of law.
(a)
removed Assistance authorized—
(1)
removed In general— The President, acting through the heads of the relevant Federal departments and agencies specified in paragraph (2), shall provide assistance to reduce poverty and hunger in developing countries. To the extent consistent with the requirements of this Act, such assistance should be provided in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Federal program known as the “Feed the Future Initiative” (as such program was in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act).
(2)
removed Relevant federal departments and agencies— The relevant Federal departments and agencies specified in this paragraph are the United States Agency for International Development, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, the Department of State, the Department of the Treasury, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the Peace Corps, the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the United States African Development Foundation, the United States Geological Survey, and any other department or agency specified by the President for purposes of this paragraph.
(3)
removed Provisions of law— Assistance authorized under this subsection that is provided pursuant to the authorities of section 103, section 103A, title XII of chapter 2 of part I, and chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151a, 2151a–1, 2220a et seq., and 2346 et seq.) may be provided notwithstanding any other provision of law.
(4)
removed Reference— Assistance authorized under this subsection may be referred to as the “Feed the Future Initiative”.
(b)
changed Coordination—Monitoring and evaluation— The President, acting through the Administrator of President should seek to ensure that assistance to implement the United States Agency Global Food Security Strategy is provided under established parameters for International Development, shall coordinate the efforts a rigorous accountability system to monitor and evaluate progress and impact of the relevant Federal departments strategy, including by reporting to the appropriate congressional committees and agencies under subsection (a).the public on an annual basis.
(c)
changed Strategic approach—Authorization of appropriations— Assistance There is authorized under subsection (a) should to be provided under a strategic approach that—appropriated to the President $1,000,600,000 for fiscal year 2015 to carry out this section.
(1)
removed prioritizes the overarching dual objectives;
(A)
removed increasing agricultural productivity, income, and economic growth, with a strong emphasis on small-scale producers; and
(B)
removed improving nutrition, especially of women and children;
(2)
removed takes a whole-of-government approach of Federal departments and agencies that engage in some aspect of food security, nutrition security, and agricultural development;
(3)
removed is driven by country strategies, ownership, and engagement;
(4)
removed harnesses science, technology, and innovation;
(5)
removed leverages unique partnerships in development, including farmers’ organizations, cooperatives, the private sector, civil society and faith-based organizations, research entities, and academic institutions;
(6)
removed has a strong focus on women’s economic empowerment and nutrition;
(7)
removed builds capacity of local organizations and institutions;
(8)
removed integrates and strengthens resilience approaches to ensure that chronically vulnerable populations are linked to market systems and longer-term economic growth opportunities;
(9)
removed supports and seeks to align with country-owned agriculture, nutrition, and food security policy and investment plans developed with input from relevant governmental and non-governmental sectors within partner countries and regional bodies, including representatives of the private sector, small-scale producers, and international and local civil society and faith-based organizations;
(10)
removed gives consideration to integrating agricultural development activities among food insecure populations living in proximity to designated national parks or wildlife areas to support wildlife conservation efforts;
(11)
removed engages, when appropriate, the expertise of United States institutions of higher education in collaboration with public and private institutions in developing countries; and
(12)
removed assesses criteria to determine where agricultural development assistance is no longer required.
(d)
removed Requirements— Assistance authorized under subsection (a) should meet the following requirements:
(1)
removed Be consistent with a country-led, multilateral, accountable process, and a comprehensive approach to agricultural development, nutrition, and resilience.
(2)
removed Maintain an emphasis on the cross-cutting issues of nutrition, land tenure, research, technology innovation, and supporting women farmers.
(3)
removed Engage strong partnerships with the private sector, educational institutions, and civil society and faith-based organizations.
(4)
removed Build the capacity of local organizations and institutions.
(5)
removed Develop community and farmer resiliency to natural disasters, emergencies, and natural occurrences that adversely impact agricultural yield.
(e)
removed Monitoring and evaluation— Assistance authorized under subsection (a) should be provided under established parameters for a rigorous accountability system to monitor and evaluate progress and impact, including by reporting to Congress and the public on an annual basis.

Sec. 6 Report

(a)
changed In general— The President, acting through Not later than 1 year after the Administrator date of the United States Agency for International Development, should enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to Congress an annual the appropriate congressional committees a report that details, by fiscal year, describes the programs and activities carried out under this Act.status of the implementation of the Global Food Security Strategy.
(b)
added Content— The report required under subsection (a) shall—
(b)
removed Matters To be included—
(1)
removed In general— The report requested by subsection (a) shall include a summary of significant issues and developments, the outlook for the next fiscal year, an analysis of performance and effectiveness against the results framework, and details of results and activities with respect to the programs and related subject areas described in paragraph (2).
(1)
changed Programs and related subject areas described— The programs and issues described in this paragraph are contain a summary of the following:Global Food Security Strategy as an appendix;
(2)
added identify any substantial changes made in the Global Food Security Strategy during the preceding calendar year;
(3)
added identify the indicators that will be used to measure results, set benchmarks for progress over time, and establish mechanisms for reporting results in an open and transparent manner;
(4)
added describe the progress made in implementing the Global Food Security Strategy;
(5)
added assess the progress and results of implementing international food and nutrition security programming;
(6)
added contain a transparent, open, and detailed accounting of spending by relevant Federal departments and agencies to implement the Global Food Security Strategy, including by listing all recipients of funding or partner organizations and, to the extent possible, describing their activities;
(7)
added identify any United States legal or regulatory impediments that could obstruct the effective implementation of the programming referred to in paragraph (5);
(8)
added contain a clear gender analysis of programming that includes established disaggregated gender indicators to better analyze outcomes for food productivity, income growth, equity in access to inputs, jobs and markets, and nutrition;
(9)
added describe the strategies and benchmarks for graduating target countries and monitoring any graduated target countries;
(10)
added assess efforts to coordinate United States international food security and nutrition programs, activities, and initiatives with—
(A)
added other bilateral donors;
(B)
added international and multilateral organizations;
(C)
added international financial institutions;
(D)
added host country governments;
(E)
added international and local private voluntary, nongovernmental, faith-based organizations, and civil society organizations; and
(F)
added other stakeholders;
(11)
added assess United States Government-facilitated private investment in related sectors and the impact of private sector investment in target countries;
(12)
added include consultation with relevant United States Government agencies in the preparation of the report; and
(13)
added incorporate a plan for regularly reviewing and updating strategies, partnerships, and programs and sharing lessons learned with a wide range of stakeholders.
(A)
removed Country and regional programs.
(B)
removed Global and multilateral programs.
(C)
removed Nutrition integration.
(D)
removed Women’s economic empowerment.
(E)
removed Stakeholder engagement, including list of partner organizations and description of their respective roles.
(F)
removed Management and accountability.
(G)
removed Participation and research by United States and developing country institutions of higher education.
(H)
removed Policy and program management.
(I)
removed Areas related to private investment in developing countries and the impact of private sector investment on economic opportunities and income of small-scale producers.
(c)
changed Additional matters To be included—Public availability of information— The report requested by subsection (a) should provide accountable and transparent information referred to in subsection (b) shall be made publicly accessible in a timely manner on United States Government performance under this Act.a consolidated website.

Sec. 7 Authorization of appropriations

removed

removed There are authorized to be appropriated to the President to carry out this Act, for each of the fiscal years 2015, 2016, and 2017, an amount equal to the amount of funds made available for food security and agricultural development programs for fiscal year 2014 under section 7060(d) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2014 (division K of Public Law 113–76; 128 Stat. 554).