China's Minister of Agriculture Says "Food Security for All is a Fundamental Human Right"
In a speech delivered at the FAO conference
in Rome on June 3, Sun Zhengcai, Minister of Agriculture,
People's Republic of China, identified the causes of the current
global food crisis as: "the continous sharp rise of international
oil prices, the general increase of production costs, the rapid
growth of bio-energy, the rising demand for food, reduced
production caused by national disasters, and the manipulation of
speculative capitals."
Sun Zhengcai then said, "Food security for all is a
fundamental human right in modern societies. The continuous
growth of global demand for food is an irreversible trend in a
pretty long time to come. Eradication of hunger and malnutrition,
proper increase of food consumption levels, and steady
improvement of living standards is not only a common wish and
justified right of the people in the developing world, but also a
main indicator of the world's development and progress.... There
are still 820 million undernourished people in the developing
world. The surge of food prices has caused them great sufferings
and could lead to further social riots and political unrest,
putting the permanent peace and common prosperity at risk.
"The basic function of agriculture is to satisfy food demand
for human survival and development. The production of grain-based
bio-fuels has driven up grain utilization, exacerbated the
already tight food supply and demand balance, with potential to
trigger off more and far-reaching problems.... We will adhere to
the principle of `no competition for grains with people and no
competition for land with grains,' putting stringent control over
the production of bio-fuels using feedstock such as maize and
oilseeds, while at the same time promoting bio-fuel production
using crop straws and stalks or by way of proper expansion of
energy crops.
"China is committed to contributing to the development of
world food and agriculture.... China is taking advantage of its
agricultural expertise such as hybrid rice to assist other
developing countries to increase agricultural and food
production. China has established or is establishing over 20
demonstration centers of agricultural tenchnology in some
countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. We have dispatched
nearly 1,000 agricultural experts and technicians to other
developing countries.
Recommendations: "More attention should be paid to food
security by all countries in the world and agriculture be
bestowed a more prominent position. Major grain-producing
countries shall redouble their efforts, while developing
countries shall adopt effective policy measures to boost inputs
in food production and agriculture. Reinforce agricultural
infrastructure, to strengthen research, development, and
extension of agricultural technologies, to support farmers to
increase production and to raise food self-sufficiency.... [T]ake
more concrete actions to provide the developing countries with
technical, financial, and input support and help them raise food
and agricultural productivities and ensure food security.
Scientific guidance shall be given to the development of the
bio-energy sector. Review and re-assess the long-term impact of
bio-energy and to formulate policy guidelines. Improve food trade
and achieve a win-win solution through cooperation. Establish a
fair and equitable order for international agricultural trade and
protect the initiatives of farmers for production in developing
countries...."
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