Phillip Baker1, Sharon Friel2, Deborah Gleeson3, Anne-Marie Thow4, Ronald Labonte5. 1. Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, Deakin University,221 Burwood Highway, Geelong, Melbourne, VIC 3125,Australia. 2. School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet), Australian National University,Canberra,Australia. 3. School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University,Melbourne,Australia. 4. Menzies Centre for Health Policy, University of Sydney,Sydney,Australia. 5. School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa,Ottawa,Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Maximising synergies and minimising conflicts (i.e. building policy coherence) between trade and nutrition policy is an important objective. One understudied driver of policy coherence is the alignment in the frames, discourses and values of actors involved in the respective sectors. In the present analysis, we aim to understand how such actors interpret (i.e. 'frame') nutrition and the implications for building trade-nutrition policy coherence. DESIGN: We adopted a qualitative single case study design, drawing on key informant interviews with those involved in trade policy. SETTING: We focused on the Australian trade policy sub-system, which has historically emphasised achieving market growth and export opportunities for Australian food producers. PARTICIPANTS: Nineteen key informants involved in trade policy spanning the government, civil society, business and academic sectors. RESULTS: Nutrition had low 'salience' in Australian trade policy for several reasons. First, it was not a domestic political priority in Australia nor among its trading partners; few advocacy groups were advocating for nutrition in trade policy. Second, a 'productivist' policy paradigm in the food and trade policy sectors strongly emphasised market growth, export opportunities and deregulation over nutrition and other social objectives. Third, few opportunities existed for health advocates to influence trade policy, largely because of limited consultation processes. Fourth, the complexity of nutrition and its inter-linkages with trade presented difficulties for developing a 'broader discourse' for engaging the public and political leaders on the topic. CONCLUSIONS: Overcoming these 'ideational challenges' is likely to be important to building greater coherence between trade and nutrition policy going forward.
OBJECTIVE: Maximising synergies and minimising conflicts (i.e. building policy coherence) between trade and nutrition policy is an important objective. One understudied driver of policy coherence is the alignment in the frames, discourses and values of actors involved in the respective sectors. In the present analysis, we aim to understand how such actors interpret (i.e. 'frame') nutrition and the implications for building trade-nutrition policy coherence. DESIGN: We adopted a qualitative single case study design, drawing on key informant interviews with those involved in trade policy. SETTING: We focused on the Australian trade policy sub-system, which has historically emphasised achieving market growth and export opportunities for Australian food producers. PARTICIPANTS: Nineteen key informants involved in trade policy spanning the government, civil society, business and academic sectors. RESULTS: Nutrition had low 'salience' in Australian trade policy for several reasons. First, it was not a domestic political priority in Australia nor among its trading partners; few advocacy groups were advocating for nutrition in trade policy. Second, a 'productivist' policy paradigm in the food and trade policy sectors strongly emphasised market growth, export opportunities and deregulation over nutrition and other social objectives. Third, few opportunities existed for health advocates to influence trade policy, largely because of limited consultation processes. Fourth, the complexity of nutrition and its inter-linkages with trade presented difficulties for developing a 'broader discourse' for engaging the public and political leaders on the topic. CONCLUSIONS: Overcoming these 'ideational challenges' is likely to be important to building greater coherence between trade and nutrition policy going forward.
Authors: Anne Marie Thow; Amandine Garde; L Alan Winters; Ellen Johnson; Andi Mabhala; Paul Kingston; Pepita Barlow Journal: Bull World Health Organ Date: 2022-02-28 Impact factor: 9.408
Authors: Sirinya Phulkerd; Jeff Collin; Yandisa Ngqangashe; Anne Marie Thow; Ashley Schram; Carmen Huckel Schneider; Sharon Friel Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2022-10-13 Impact factor: 3.006