Brown urges international action on food prices

Thursday, 10 April 2008 12:00 AM

Gordon Brown has written to the chairman of the G8 urging international action too avert fears of a growing crisis fuelled by soaring global food prices.

In a letter to Japanese prime minister Yasuo Fukuda, Mr Brown wrote: "The international community needs a fully co-ordinated response."

The British prime minister called for the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (OMF) and the United Nations (UN) to work together to produce an international strategy for short and long-term action.

"Rising food prices threaten to roll back progress we have made in recent years on development," Mr Brown said.

"For the first time in decades, the number of people facing hunger is growing. Food prices have risen sharply leading to food riots in several countries.

"Increased wealth and growing populations in developing countries contribute to steadily increasing global demand for grains, for food and animal feed, aggravated by rapidly increasing biofuel production.

"Meanwhile, recent crop failures in major producing countries are reminders of the expected consequences of climate change, as the frequency and severity of extreme weather events increase in years to come."

He also called for international action to help support developing countries required to import food.

Japan currently holds the G8 presidency and is due to host the main summit in Hokkaido in July.

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