Have your say - join the food crisis debate

Kicking off the debate on the increase of food prices around the world is Justin Macmullan, CI's Head of Campaigns:

"The price of food is rocketing for people around the world.

World leaders are meeting to discuss the issue and there are daily articles and programmes in newspapers and on the radio and television. But despite all the talk and discussion there is no clear concensus as to what should be done.

Part of the problem lies in the fact that there are so many contributing factors to the current crisis.

Long term issues, such as growing prosperity in India and China, have contributed to changing diets and increased demand for food.

Energy prices and the growth in biofuels have certainly had an impact as well.

Poor harvests have also had an impact this year and it appears that financial speculation, an issue that for many people is hidden behind in the obscure world of financial markets, is also pushing up prices.

Two issues are often forgotten or taken for granted in this. Firstly for millions of people the idea of a food crisis is nothing new. Back in 2006, before talk of the current crisis, the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) reported that 40 countries were facing food emergencies. Any response to the crisis should address this ongoing crisis that has been as much about poverty as the availability of food.

Secondly, recent events have again underlined how interconnected the world is. Developments in one country or group of countries can have an impact around the world. Countries need to work together, plan ahead and adapt international and national systems - taking responsibilty for how their actions may impact on others, particularly the most vulnerable.

CI has recently released a short statement mapping out some of the causes and possible solutions.

Now we need to hear from you - the public and our member organisations. Join this debate, have your say - we look forward to read your comments and contributions."

Combat rising food prices - avoid wastage and increase food self-sufficiency

A recent article published in Konsumer - the magazine published by the Consumer Association of Penang (CAP) in Malaysia - focused on avoiding food wastage through increasing food self-sufficiency.

In response to the rise in food prices Konsumer champions that Malaysia becomes self-sufficient in producing food rather than relying on imports.

It points out that organic farming methods should be promoted to avoid over dependence on expensive pesticides and that the issue of food wastage needs to be addressed.

Of the solid waste produced in Malaysia, 45% comes in the form of discarded food.

Konsumer calls on the government to take the lead in tackling the culture of waste by reducing the lavish amounts of food available to participants of official seminars, conferences and meetings.

19% increase in food prices

From Natcof (National Consumers Forum) in the Seychelles comes the news that according to the Nationial Statistics Bureau, the Consumer Price Index shows that the price of food has seen an increase of more than 19% compared to the same period last year.

Most imported food items like meat, milk and cereals have registered an increase of 27%.

CI has recently released a statement on the food crisis, and other member organisations are also monitoring the issue at national levels and urging their governments to act.