Here's whqt was actually agreed at the meeting which had more of an international dimension, than domestic. Here in the UK the main points seem to be there there will be a review on our use/stragety for biofuels and they are also pumping in some money into agricultural research in order to boost yields. Of course, there is also a line about reviewing the CAP which is costing British consumers £3.5 bn through higher prices tec
The UK's support of biofuel production will be carefully examined in light of its impact on worldwide food production.
A joint statement released at the close of yesterday's meeting of leading experts, scientists, food producers and retailers said that the use of biofuels would be more selectively supported in the future.
If the review shows that a change of approach is needed, the UK will push for change in EU biofuels targets.
The meeting in the Cabinet Room inside 10 Downing Street addressed the short and longer-term factors causing increased food prices at home and abroad and possible policy solutions.
The attendees agreed to work towards an international strategy through the G8 and world trade discussions, and continue to support the world's poorest people. Domestic price rises must also be tackled, they said.
Update on Downing Street Food Prices Summit
The Prime Minister, Alistair Darling, Douglas Alexander and Hilary Benn today hosted a meeting of leading experts, scientists, food producers and retailers to address the growing world food crisis. The meeting addressed the short and longer-term factors causing increased food prices at home and abroad and possible policy solutions.
Among the issues that were discussed were:
1. We will work in the G8 for an international strategy. An international strategy will need to include: more and better support for agricultural and rural development in the poorest countries; more and better research into methods for increasing yields and productivity; a review of the wider economic and environmental impacts of biofuel production; commitment to increase social protection programmes which take people out of long-term dependency on food aid; consideration on how to maximise the effectiveness of IMF and World Bank support; and reform of relevant international institutions.
2. We will increase support to the poorest. In addition to the £50m per year we already spend on social protection and safety net programmes in Africa, the UK has today pledged an extra £30m to support the World Food Programme, and extra £25m to Ethiopia for their national safety net programme. We will work to encourage other donors to make additional humanitarian assistance available and monitor the need to step up support.
3. We will work together to address domestic price rises. The Government has called on consumer groups, food producers, manufacturers and retailers to consider how we can collectively meet the challenges posed by the global food crisis.
4. We will increase research into improving yields. The UK has today announced new funds for agricultural research over the next five years. This will be critical if agricultural production is to keep pace with increased demands for food.
5. We will work to achieve a successful WTO deal, including a substantial 'aid for trade' package to help build the trading capacity of the poorest countries. The WTO round offers a major opportunity to increase trade flows in agricultural (and other) goods, particularly for developing countries. We want a WTO deal which reduces significantly reduces agricultural tariffs and trade distorting subsidies. High transport costs also push up local food prices and restrict trade in Africa.
6. We will work within the EU to further reform the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), through the CAP Health check and the EU budget review. It is estimated that the CAP costs UK consumers £3.5 bn (2005) through higher prices. Reductions in EU agricultural tariffs and CAP reform would reduce the cost of food to EU consumers and increase the capacity of developing countries to produce and export agricultural commodities.
7. We will review our approach to biofuels. We need to look closely at the impact on food prices and the environment of different production methods and to ensure we are more selective in our support. If our UK review shows that we need to change our approach, we will also push for change in EU biofuels targets.
Attendees
- Prime Minister
- Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, Secretary of State for International Development
- Rt Hon Alistair Darling
- Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
- Rt Hon Malcolm Bruce MP
- Prof John Beddington Chief Scientist
- Phil Bloomer, Oxfam
- Dr Mike Bushell, Syngenta
- Paul Collier, Oxford University
- Professor Ian Crute, Rothamsted Research Institute
- Jaqcues Diouf, Food and Agricultural Organisation, UN
- Andrew Dorward, School of Oriental and African Studies
- Lawrence Haddad, Institute of Development Studies
- Paul Hodson, European Commission Transport & Energy
- Donal Kaberuka, African Development Bank
- Reijo Kemppinen, Head of Mission, EC Rep of the UK
- Peter Kendall, National Farmers Union
- Justin King, Sainsbury's
- Simon Maxwell, ODI
- Jill Johnstone, National Consumer Council
- David Mepham, Save the Children
- Kanayo Felix Nwanze, Vice President - IFAD
- Ruth Rawling, Cargill plc
- Josette Sheeran, World Food Programme
- Stefan Tangermann, OECD Trade & Agriculture Directorate
- Goran Trapp, Morgan Stanley
- Joachim von Braun, Director General IFPRI Inter Food Policy Institute Research