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PM urges world food prices action PM urges world food prices action
(about 2 hours later)
Gordon Brown is calling for international action to confront what he describes as a "world food crisis".Gordon Brown is calling for international action to confront what he describes as a "world food crisis".
The prime minister said global food prices were at their highest since 1945 and tackling hunger was "a moral challenge" for everyone.The prime minister said global food prices were at their highest since 1945 and tackling hunger was "a moral challenge" for everyone.
He also said the UK needed to be "more selective" in its support of biofuels. The government is to provide £30m to help the 840m people estimated to be suffering chronic hunger.
Mr Brown was writing for the Downing Street website ahead of a food prices summit meeting with scientists, supermarkets, farmers and aid agencies. Downing Street is hosting a meeting involving scientists, supermarkets, farmers and aid agencies.
Tackling hunger is a moral challenge to each of us and it is also a threat to the political and economic stability of nations Gordon Brown Leaders warn on biofuels and food Send us your commentsReaders reactTackling hunger is a moral challenge to each of us and it is also a threat to the political and economic stability of nations Gordon Brown Leaders warn on biofuels and food Send us your commentsReaders react
He said that although British shopping bills had been forced up because of rising global food prices, the impact was felt hardest by the world's poorest countries. Writing for the Downing Street website earlier Mr Brown said that although British shopping bills had been forced up because of rising global food prices, the impact was felt hardest by the world's poorest countries.
"The World Health Organisation now views hunger as the number one threat to public health across the world, responsible for a third of child deaths and 10% of all disease," wrote Mr Brown."The World Health Organisation now views hunger as the number one threat to public health across the world, responsible for a third of child deaths and 10% of all disease," wrote Mr Brown.
"Tackling hunger is a moral challenge to each of us and it is also a threat to the political and economic stability of nations. "Tackling hunger is a moral challenge to each of us and it is also a threat to the political and economic stability of nations."
"So I believe we need to see a fully co-ordinated response by the international community." International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander, who is chairing the meeting at Downing Street, told the BBC the government would provide £30m aid assistance - but would also increase funding into agricultural research, to raise productivity in countries like Africa.
High-yielding crops Price 'spike'
The prime minister also called for an "agricultural revolution" involving technology that would help farmers in developing countries grow higher-yielding crops. He said more "international co-ordination" was needed ahead of the G8 meeting in Japan in July, and said the Common Agricultural Policy, and world trade rules were in need of reform.
He also wants to see investment in storage facilities and roads to ensure produce gets to market rather than "being left to rot". He said there was a "very real spike" in food prices - estimated at a rise of 83% in three years.
But he said the World Trade Organisation was close to making a deal to open up rich world markets and cut agricultural subsidies, which he said could be "a huge incentive" for increased food production in poor countries. "But the best evidence available to us is that food prices will not settle at the kind of prices that were common prior to the spike taking place," he said.
Many countries are struggling to cope with higher food pricesMany countries are struggling to cope with higher food prices
On the subject of biofuels, Mr Brown said the UK needed to look closely at the impact on food prices and the environment of production methods and ensure "we are more selective in our support". "That's why we need to act quickly not simply to address immediate humanitarian needs but also to make sure that we grow the supply of food in the world."
In his article, Mr Brown said the World Trade Organisation was close to making a deal to open up rich world markets and cut agricultural subsidies, which he said could be "a huge incentive" for increased food production in poor countries.
The prime minister also said the UK needed to look closely at the impact of producing biofuels on food prices and the environment and ensure "we are more selective in our support".
"If our UK review shows that we need to change our approach, we will also push for change in EU biofuels targets," he added."If our UK review shows that we need to change our approach, we will also push for change in EU biofuels targets," he added.
Tuesday's summit in London will bring together international organisations such as the World Food Programme, the African Development Bank, campaign groups like Oxfam and Save the Children as well as farmers and supermarkets. Groups attending Tuesday's meeting aim to come up with a plan to present to the EU and the G8 over the summer and a special meeting of the United Nations in September.
Participants are aiming to come up with a plan to present to the EU and the G8 over the summer and a special meeting of the United Nations in September.
Earlier this month, the World Bank announced emergency measures, including a doubling of agricultural loans to African farmers, to tackle rising food prices around the world.Earlier this month, the World Bank announced emergency measures, including a doubling of agricultural loans to African farmers, to tackle rising food prices around the world.
It warned 100 million people in poor countries could be pushed deeper into poverty by spiralling prices.It warned 100 million people in poor countries could be pushed deeper into poverty by spiralling prices.
The crisis has sparked recent food riots in several countries including Haiti and Egypt.The crisis has sparked recent food riots in several countries including Haiti and Egypt.