Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 12: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he is taking to address the issue of land grabs in Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33491/11]

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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The question of land ownership in Africa is a deeply emotive one given its centrality to issues of national identity and of food security.

There has been a trend in recent years of large-scale land acquisitions in Africa by foreign private sector and state-owned companies. Certain wealthy countries, concerned about the stability of food supplies, have been promoting the acquisition of farmland in developing countries as an alternative to purchasing food from international markets. Some developing countries have welcomed this new wave of foreign investment, and have been implementing policy and legislative reforms to attract investors.

If properly regulated and implemented, there are enormous benefits for developing countries from foreign direct investment in land. Africa needs such investment to provide the stimulus for economic growth, for employment creation and infrastructure development and to guarantee food security. However, this must be balanced against the rights of the poor and most vulnerable, such as smallholder farmers and minority groups. Genuine local consultation is essential, as is sustainable land management and the enforcement of investor commitments. Otherwise, there is a clear danger that land acquisition will lead to increased exploitation of poor rural communities.

Ireland supports equitable land reform programmes throughout our aid programme, both in our Programme Countries and in our engagement in multilateral institutions. For instance, in Tanzania, our work with rural communities includes assistance with land ownership issues and access to land. In Uganda, we are financing the translation of land ownership laws into native languages to inform the population of their land rights and promote security of tenure.

Through our engagement in UN agencies, including the Food and Agriculture Organisation, we are working to increase the transparency of land acquisitions in developing countries.

We will maintain this focus on land issues so that Governments, civil society and the private sector in Africa can prioritise measures to build inclusive economic growth and fight poverty and hunger.