11
July 2008: In a comment on the G8 leaders’ statement on global food security,
Joachim von Braun, Director General of the International Food Policy Research
Institute (IFPRI), welcomed the proposed actions regarding global markets and
increasing food production, while criticizing the lack of actions on social
protection and nutrition for the poorest.

Noting
that high food prices cause the poor to limit food consumption leading to
irreversible consequences for their health, he called for well designed safety
net programs. On biofuels he said, given that biofuels are estimated to account
for about 30% of the increase in grain prices between 2000 and 2007, the G8 did
not address short-term measures such as freezing or reducing biofuel production
levels or introducing a moratorium on biofuel production until prices come down
to reasonable levels. He further recommended that the strategy for the way
forward should include a package of actions to address current emergencies, as
well as a package of actions that would bring resiliency into the food system
and prevent another crisis, which includes better connecting the G8’s food
security and climate change agendas. [The Comments]