Spelman seizes on food report to promote free markets

Monday, 24 January 2011 12:00 AM

By Ian Dunt

Global markets must be opened up to deal with the rate of population growth over coming decades, Caroline Spelman has insisted.

The environment secretary was responding to the government's most comprehensive report on food security to date, which found that international leadership was needed to fund ways to boost production.

"To fuel this revolution, we must open up global markets, boost global trade and make reforms that help the poorest," Ms Spelman said.

"Trade restrictions must be avoided, especially at times of scarcity. And we must manage price volatility by building trust and cooperation - and in particular by creating greater transparency around the true levels of food stocks."

International development secretary Andrew Mitchell added: "As the report shows, the right technology and research findings already exist to help to increase yields, reduce waste throughout the production process, and tackle the diseases or difficult conditions that can limit livestock and crop production.

"What we must do now is ensure that those who would benefit most from these solutions are better informed of their existence and have the chance to put them to practical use."

The Foresight report estimates that a third of the world's food is currently being wasted.

Halving food waste by 2050 would have the same effect as increasing food production today by 25%, its authors found.

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