Millions of people around the world depend on international trade for their food security and livelihoods As countries move to enact measures aiming to halt the accelerating COVID 19 pandemic care must be taken to minimise potential impacts on the food supply or unintended consequences on global trade and food security When acting to protect the health and well being of their citizens countries should ensure that any trade related measures do not disrupt the food supply chain Such disruptions including hampering the movement of agricultural and food industry workers and extending border delays for food containers result in the spoilage of perishables and increasing food waste Food trade restrictions could also be linked to unjustified concerns on food safety If such a scenario were to materialize it would disrupt the food supply chain with particularly pronounced consequences for the most vulnerable and food insecure populations Uncertainty about food availability can spark a wave of export restrictions creating a shortage on the global market Such reactions can alter the balance between food supply and demand resulting in price spikes and increased price volatility We learned from previous crises that such measures are particularly damaging for low income food deficit countries and to the efforts of humanitarian organizations to procure food for those in desperate need We must prevent the repeat of such damaging measures It is at times like this that more not less international cooperation becomes vital In the midst of the COVID 19 lockdowns every effort must be made to ensure that trade flows as freely as possible specially to avoid food shortage Similarly it is also critical that food producers and food workers at processing and retail level are protected to minimise the spread of the disease within this sector and maintain food supply chains Consumers in particular the most vulnerable must continue to be able to access food within their communities under strict safety requirements We must also ensure that information on food related trade measures levels of food production consumption and stocks as well as on food prices is available to all in real time This reduces uncertainty and allows producers consumers and traders to make informed decisions Above all it helps contain panic buying and the hoarding of food and other essential items Now is the time to show solidarity act responsibly and adhere to our common goal of enhancing food security food safety and nutrition and improving the general welfare of people around the world We must ensure that our response to COVID 19 does not unintentionally create unwarranted shortages of essential items and exacerbate hunger and malnutrition