ID :
9332
Wed, 06/04/2008 - 11:50
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/9332
The shortlink copeid
UN Against Ban on Export of Food Items
Rome, June 4 (PTI) - While calling upon the developed world to step up food assistance, the United Nations Tuesday asked countries not to ban export of food items as it will push upprices further.
"Some countries have taken action by limiting exports or by imposing price controls... They only distort market and force prices even higher. I call on nations to resist such measures," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said while addressing the summit meeting on the World Food Security:TheChallenges of Climate Change and Bio-energy.
The advise of the UN secretary general comes at a time when India banned export of various commodities including rice to rein in inflation which soared to 45-month high of morethan 8 per cent.
Referring to nations who have imposed export restrictions on exports, Ki-moon said: "Beggar Thy Neighbour food policies cannot work. They only distort markets and forces prices even higher." In order to improve food availability, Ki-moon said the nations should adjust trade and taxation policies to minimise export restrictions and import tariffs, and help the free flowof agriculture goods.
The task of increasing food security and availability, he added, "may require big increases in financial support – often in the form of grants and material assistance, not lending." India is being represented at the Food Security Summit byAgriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Agriculture Secretary P. K.
Mishra and newly-appointed Ambassador to Italy Arif Khan amongothers.
The other world leaders who are participating at the summit include Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda andBrazilian President Luiz Lula de Silva.
Pointing out that before the outbreak of current crisis about 85 crore people were short of food, he said, "the World Bank estimates that the number could rise by a further 10 crore." In some countries, he said, people are buying rice by the cup, instead of bag. "The poorest of the poor spend two-thirds or more of their income on food. They will be hardest hit." He asked the world leaders, who have assembled here for the three-day conference, to take immediate steps to "expand food assistance through food aid, vouchers or cash." In the present crisis, Ki-moon said, there is also an opportunity to increase food production by almost 50 per centby 2030.
The world's population, he added, would reach 7.2 billion by 2015 and "today's problem will only grow larger tomorrowunless we act now".
The UN chief also called for rapid resolution of the WTO Doha Round to eliminate trade and taxation policies thatdistort markets. - ends.
"Some countries have taken action by limiting exports or by imposing price controls... They only distort market and force prices even higher. I call on nations to resist such measures," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said while addressing the summit meeting on the World Food Security:TheChallenges of Climate Change and Bio-energy.
The advise of the UN secretary general comes at a time when India banned export of various commodities including rice to rein in inflation which soared to 45-month high of morethan 8 per cent.
Referring to nations who have imposed export restrictions on exports, Ki-moon said: "Beggar Thy Neighbour food policies cannot work. They only distort markets and forces prices even higher." In order to improve food availability, Ki-moon said the nations should adjust trade and taxation policies to minimise export restrictions and import tariffs, and help the free flowof agriculture goods.
The task of increasing food security and availability, he added, "may require big increases in financial support – often in the form of grants and material assistance, not lending." India is being represented at the Food Security Summit byAgriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Agriculture Secretary P. K.
Mishra and newly-appointed Ambassador to Italy Arif Khan amongothers.
The other world leaders who are participating at the summit include Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda andBrazilian President Luiz Lula de Silva.
Pointing out that before the outbreak of current crisis about 85 crore people were short of food, he said, "the World Bank estimates that the number could rise by a further 10 crore." In some countries, he said, people are buying rice by the cup, instead of bag. "The poorest of the poor spend two-thirds or more of their income on food. They will be hardest hit." He asked the world leaders, who have assembled here for the three-day conference, to take immediate steps to "expand food assistance through food aid, vouchers or cash." In the present crisis, Ki-moon said, there is also an opportunity to increase food production by almost 50 per centby 2030.
The world's population, he added, would reach 7.2 billion by 2015 and "today's problem will only grow larger tomorrowunless we act now".
The UN chief also called for rapid resolution of the WTO Doha Round to eliminate trade and taxation policies thatdistort markets. - ends.
