Topic: Global Food Crisis
Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: Andrea Erhardt
School: Forest Hills Northern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All United Kingdom position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
Rising food prices have created political and economic instability. In the past year, food prices have increased an average of 43 percent. Due to the doubling of prices in the past three years, it is projected to push over 100 million people into extreme poverty conditions. Most families spend 50 percent of their household income on food staples and the increase in prices can take a threatening toll. Famine and turmoil due to food have increased dramatically due to the high rise of oil prices. Also, the push to use ethanol has considerably raised the price of corn and sugar.
The United Kingdom, along other members of the European Union, is pushing the distribution of unspent money from the EU’s agricultural budget. This amount, €750 million, is hoped to be spent this year, in time for next years harvest. It is necessary for the poor, developing nations to have these funds to produce more crops. In turn, this will help lower food prices. Not only will it provide farmers with utilities, but this money will also be used to get the food to the people.
We recognize the sole issue is in developing countries. There have been food riots and some countries have had to drop tariffs on imports resulting in loss of money. The United Kingdom would hope to work with developed European nations to provide aid these poor countries. We, the United Kingdom, reaffirm our commitment to developing nations, which are the main victims in this negative impact.
