There is a growing debate about intellectual property rights, food, farming, biodiversity, the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and other agreements. This paper aims to draw on the various perspectives presented in the body of literature informing debate to:

• highlight, clearly and concisely, the policy questions raised for developing country governments by Article 27.3(b) of the TRIPS Agreement, in particular those concerning food security, and the options for the review of its provisions
• examine the key ethical, economic, environmental and social issues surrounding its provisions - and their relation to other international negotiations
• consider the possible contributions of overseas development assistance.