International
Despite public health threat of cadmium, Mexico continues use of it in production of fertilizer, toys, batteries; population absorbs toxin through foods, smoking tobacco
By Emilio Godoy
Inter Press Service (Rome, Italy) 2011-11-03
Howard Buffett urges soil-health approach to helping African farmers end hunger, says crop diversity, not biotech seed and monoculture, will ensure families' survival
The Associated Press; The Washington Post 2011-10-12
Agricultural commodities betting fueled unrest in Africa, Mideast; speculation was enabled by market deregulation that also caused '07-'08 mortgage, market collapses
By Eric Michael Johnson
Scientific American 2011-09-22
366 million worldwide have diabetes, which kills one person every seven seconds; it is "massive challenge" to healthcare, now costing $465 billion annually, UN warns
By Ben Hirschler
Reuters 2011-09-13
No. 1 issue is sustainable development - linking climate change, water scarcity, food insecurity, energy shortages, global health issues, women's empowerment, UN head says
Agence France-Presse 2011-09-08
Supplier to Nike, Adidas, Puma, H&M, Lacoste accused of dumping endocrine disrupting toxins into Chinese water systems; critics point to hypocrisy of western outsourcers
By Jonathan Watts
The Guardian (UK) 2011-07-13
Expanding economic and educational opportunities, more democracy, rising border crime, shrinking families help slow illegal immigration from Mexico to U.S. to trickle
By Damien Cave
The New York Times 2011-07-06
EU vows $14.5m in emergency aid to feed 650,000 in North Korea; government promises unrestricted access over concerns that aid could be diverted to ruling elite, military
By Stephen Castle
The New York Times 2011-07-03
Reduce food production dry northern plains or face dire water levels, groundwater expert warns China; agriculture accounts for 60 percent of demand on water table
By Jonathan Watts
The Guardian (UK) 2011-06-28
U.S. will push for more transparent food production and open markets to reduce food price volatility with G-20 agricultural ministers
By Sebastian Moffett
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2011-06-22
Opinion: U.S. is transforming Afghanistan's fragile agrarian society into a consumer-oriented, mechanized, fossil-fuel-based economy
By Patricia McArdle
The New York Times 2011-06-19
Food prices in China surge as torrential rain across south and east kills more than 100, triggers evacuation of half a million and leaves farmland devastated
Reuters 2011-06-19
Indian police use tear gas, canes to drive away tens of thousands of people on hunger strike against corruption in New Delhi, detain guru who led massive nationwide protest
By Rama Lakshmi
The Washington Post 2011-06-05
Opinion: If you're keen to make the world's poorest people better off, it's smarter to invest in their farms and workplaces than to send them packing to cities
By Raj Patel
Foreign Policy 2011-05-04
Opinion: 1990s famine believed to have killed nearly one million North Koreans; no matter how much world despises Kim Jong-il regime, that can't be allowed to happen again
By the editors
The New York Times 2011-04-29
Ethiopia, other upstream countries - Burundi, Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda - rewrite 1959 water treaty that favored Egypt; Ethiopia looks to China for dam funds
The Economist 2011-04-20
In response to civic unrest concerning country's rising food, fuel prices, Ugandan head says that farmers will benefit from higher prices, calls on public to stop driving to bars
By Ioannis Gatsiounis
Time magazine 2011-04-23
With civic unrest illustrating link between poverty and politics, upcoming Doha talks highlight discord between advanced and emerging economies over whose trade barriers should come down first
By Tom Gjelten
National Public Radio 2011-04-11
In light of soaring food prices, experts call on countries to scale back headlong rush into biofuels, citing mediocre harvests, high prices, hunger, political instability
By Elisabeth Rosenthal
The New York Times 2011-04-06
Pakistan's Sindh state set to mandate iodization of salt in bid to eliminate deficiency disorders; iodine vital for normal body and mental development, physical well being
By Jess Halliday
nutraingredients.com/ Decision News Media 2011-03-31
In Burkina Faso, Yacouba Sawadogo is pioneer of tree-based approach to farming that has transformed western Sahel over last 20 years, but first, timber rights were returned to farmers
By Mark Hertsgaard
Scientific American 2011-01-28
Food, water in short supply two days after 8.9-magnitude earthquake, resulting tsunami turned a strip of Japan into wreckage; PM calls it biggest crisis since WWII
By Chico Harlan and Rick Maese
The Washington Post 2011-03-13
Interactive map shows which countries at highest risk of food crisis; the 750 million people rely on 83 billion tons of imported food a year, mostly corn, soybeans, wheat exported by U.S.
By Patricia Brooks
Environmental Working Group 2011-03-03
USDA reports attempted fraud from Chinese firm using fake certificate to represent non-organic crops as organic; reliance on cheaper imported organics has undermined U.S. farmers
By Bart King
Sustainable Life Media; Reuters 2011-02-22
Turmoil in Middle East directly linked to unsustainable water, energy use; growing water shortage will require sharing, conserving resources to avoid civic unrest; Yemen is at most risk
By John Vidal
The Guardian (UK) 2011-02-20
As humans eat remaining tuna, grouper and cod, their prey - sardines, anchovies - flourish, creating ecological imbalance that experts say will forever change the oceans
By Marc Kaufman
The Washington Post 2011-02-20
India struggles to feed its 1.1 billion people; it needs to hike investment in irrigation, spur competition in wholesale and retail markets, provide targeted food subsidies to poor
By Vikas Bajaj
The New York Times 2011-02-12
Opinion: Asia provides frightening look at food crisis, where critical mass of those living on less than $2 a day reside; implications touch debt outlook, leaders looking to keep peace
By William Pesek
Bloomberg Businessweek 2011-02-13
As food prices surge upward, ranks of poor swell; UN food-relief agency bought 22 percent more food last year than in 2009, but spent 30 percent more - $1.25 billion
By Caroline Henshaw
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2011-02-08
Books: In the heartbreaking "Hot," Mark Hertsgaard contributes ground-level reporting on climate adaptation efforts around world, lists reasons to act rather than despair
By Wen Stephenson
The New York Times 2011-02-04
China's severe drought causes drinking water shortage for people, livestock and threatens wheat crop; imports to replace shortfall in self-sufficient crop could drive prices higher
By Keith Bradsher
The New York Times 2011-02-08
Opinion: The poorest, as fastest growing sector of global economy, are new frontier for corporate food regime, but taxpayers can say no to subsidizing juggernaut that undermines small farmers who grow half the world's food
By Eric Holt Gimenez
The Huffington Post 2011-02-07
Opinion: Growing turmoil shows that ordinary life revolves around price of bread, other basic commodities; at least two Indian governments have been felled by rising price of onions
By Mohamed A. Ramady
Arab News 2011-02-08
Opinion: Food and everything surrounding it is a crucial matter of personal and public health, of national and global security; at stake is health of humans and that of earth
By Mark Bittman
The New York Times 2011-02-01
With 2008 food price riots in mind, emerging nations use price caps, export bans and rules to help keep food costs from disrupting their economies
By Eric Bellman and Alex Frangos
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2011-01-25
Political unrest disrupts cocoa supplies from Ivory Coast, world's biggest producer; Cargill suspends purchases, ADM assesses and State Department backs temporary import ban
By Debarati Roy
Bloomberg 2011-01-25
Sheep-stealing wave in England prompted by escalating world demand, scaled-back production in New Zealand; surge in the theft of tractors, other farm machinery also noted
By Anthony Faiola
The Washington Post 2011-01-15
Tunisian civic unrest may signal global food riots, economists say; woes began after fires in Russia, heavy rain in Canada, drought in Argentina, floods in Australia, low forecasts in U.S.
By Ariana Eunjung Cha
The Washington Post 2011-01-14
In future, UK subsidies will be more focused on 'public good' so farmers are paid for tending land, and true cost of producing food is reflected in price, says environment secretary
By Louise Gray
The Telegraph (UK) 2011-01-03
Europe's top chefs lead push for sustainable seafood as reports predict major commercial fish species will disappear by 2050 due to overfishing; eel wins over bluefin tuna, codfish
By Jeffrey T. Iverson
Time 2010-12-26
Opinion: Main driving force behind rising commodity prices is demand from growing global middle class with appetite for meat and car-driving; food, oil supplies can't keep up
By Paul Krugman
The New York Times 2010-12-26
Externalities - uncounted byproducts of activity - of climate change could aid Africa by counting public goods (clean air and seas) and natural capital (trees, wind, sunshine, water, soil)
By Alex Perry / Archer's Post And Kareygorou
Time 2010-12-12
As Iceland bids to join EU, dispute over mackerel quotas escalates; Brussels threatens sanctions against Reykjavik, including blocking sales of fish to EU, its largest trading partner
By Teri Schultz
Global Post 2010-12-21
Opinion: Life-saving strategy brings green revolution to Navy, Marines; armed forces using biofuels - minus corn-based ethanol or any fuels that compete with food
By Thomas L. Friedman
The New York Times 2010-12-19
Opinion: PepsiCo acquisition of Wimm-Bill-Dann dairy is big news for food industry and for American-Russian relations, but WikiLeaks reports corruption, virtual mafia state there
By Guy Montague-Jones
nutraingredients.com/ Decision News Media 2010-12-08
Opinion: It's time to help Colombia, waiting for 3 years for ratification of free-trade agreement and now facing threat of Congress removing duty-free access to U.S. markets
The editors
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-12-17
Swedish city, epicenter of farming and food processing, dispenses with fossil fuels, generating energy from potato peels, manure, used cooking oil, stale cookies, pig guts
By Elisabeth Rosenthal
The New York Times 2010-12-11
Researchers, writers warn of complex and interconnected confluence of factors driving us toward a global food, water emergency by 2050 - even before worst of climate change
By Greg Ansley
The New Zealand Herald 2010-12-04
Push to promote sustainable palm oil from Western consumers becoming test case for green consumerism, could sway Nestle, others, and future of rainforests in Asia, Africa
By Fred Pearce
Yale Environment 360; Reuters 2010-11-29
South African government's efforts to redress apartheid by buying farms from white owners and giving them to blacks with little experience in farming has failed, stirred racial tensions
By Robyn Dixon
Los Angeles Times 2010-11-21
Wary of Wall Street, more wealthy Americans, private funds, foreigners invest in parcels of cornfields, fruit orchards and other domestic agricultural products
By P.J. Huffstutter
Los Angeles Times 2010-09-19
Mars, Hershey battle for credit on DNA sequencing of cocoa tree that could quintuple output; 70 percent of crop grown in West Africa, and supports several million small farmers
By Andrew Pollack
The New York Times 2010-09-15
France, with obesity levels similar to those of US in the 1970s, continues prevention programs; three part attack includes centers for medical care, research and prevention
By Mildrade Cherfils
GlobalPost 2010-09-08
Opinion: With concerns about rising food prices and rumors of hoarding, UN group could help protect food security by brokering agreement not to impose export controls
The editors
The New York Times 2010-09-12
Analysis: Evolution of potash, phosphate, nitrogen to hunted, strategic commodities illustrates growing links between globalization, demographics, agriculture, food security
By Javier Blas and Leslie Hook
Financial Times (London) (may require registration) 2010-08-27
Opinion: If fish can be bred commercially and marine life can be saved through scientific technique, it will help stave off food-scarcity crisis larger than any we have known
By Josh Ozersky
Time magazine 2010-09-01
Exports of grain, meats lead agriculture sector in otherwise lingering recession; US farmers to ship $107.5 billion in products as other countries struggle with drought, heat
By William Neuman
The New York Times 2010-09-01
Hunger, disease plague Pakistan's flood survivors; disaster has killed at least 1,643, displaced 6 million, done billions of damage to agriculture, infrastructure
By Zeeshan Haider
Reuters 2010-08-29
Opinion: Volatility in grain prices caused by drought, flood plus population growth and emerging grain diseases - if this is pattern, or glimpse of future, it's worrying
The editors
The New York Times 2010-08-27
Russia launches probe after Twitter campaign notes potential destruction of Pavlovsk, world's oldest seed bank; scientists starved rather than eat seeds during siege of Leningrad
By John Vidal
The Guardian (UK) 2010-08-16
Mexico targets pork, apples, oranges for tariffs, escalating dispute over US ban on its truckers operating north of border; Obama could end ban, but unions, some Democrats oppose move
By Josh Mitchell and Paul Kiernan
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-08-17
Political instability from lack of clean water, cholera threat, looming food shortages, price spikes, missed planting season among concerns over Pakistan's flooding disaster
By Adam B. Ellick
The New York Times 2010-08-16
Opinion: Global architecture for policies on agriculture, food overdue; food, nutrition security should figure prominently at G20 summit, UN conference on millennium goals
By Joachim von Braun
Financial Times (London) (may require registration) 2010-08-09
India's political decision on how to feed its vast numbers of poor will very likely determine whether it becomes global economic power
By Jim Yardley
The New York Times 2010-08-09
Breeders in Switzerland, Britain import semen, embryos from cloned animals or progeny from U.S.; products from such techniques are believed to be on supermarket shelves
By James Kanter
The New York Times 2010-07-29
Russia's ban of chicken imports over chlorine wash used by US processors creates surplus of dark meat leg quarters; USDA buys some for school meals, food banks
By Roberta Rampton
Reuters 2010-06-15
Bluefin tuna - all tuna - are living representation of ocean's limits; their global decline warns us that we might destroy our last wild food
By Paul Greenberg
The New York Times 2010-06-21
Exploding obesity rates, need for funds to repair earthquake damage give rise to unpopular talk of taxing junk food, warnings on fatty foods in Chile
By Pascale Bonnefoy
Global Post 2010-06-04
China's decline in numbers of youthful workers and their growing sophistication at protesting working conditions may signal demise of cheap prices
By Keith B. Richburg
The Washington Post 2010-06-07
Women farmers - chief nurturers in families and responsible for up to 80 percent of food in developing countries - are untapped solution to reform, says USDA official
By Josh Rogin
Foreign Policy 2010-05-20
Oklahoma Army National Guard members plow with mules, slaughter chickens, milk goats, make cheese, tend bees before deployment to Afghanistan
By Jessica Dyer
Albuquerque Journal 2010-05-30
Afghan's opium farmers, facing harsh weather, new interdiction efforts, contemplate offers of aid in exchange for growing wheat, other crops instead
By C. J. Chivers
The New York Times 2010-05-22
Organic fields of mostly wheat produce lower yields, raise biodiversity 12 percent, cause neighbors to use more weedkillers than those using synthetic fertilizers, study shows
By Chris Benfield
Yorkshire Post 2010-05-05
Opinion: How next UK government handles farming and environment policy, role of food in public health, and industry-business links crucial for healthy food sector, healthy population
By Jess Halliday
nutraingredients.com/Decision News Media 2010-05-04
With broader action deadlocked, compromise sought on commercial whaling with plans of quota, international observers for Japan, Iceland, Norway
By Bryan Walsh
Time magazine 2010-04-23
Opinion: Beyond accord that requires U.S. to pay $147.3 million in subsidies to Brazilian cotton growers, negotiators also agree to ease restrictions on Brazilian beef
By Michael Grunwald
Time magazine 2010-04-09
Nestlé head says biofuels, not its food products using palm oil are to blame for deforestation; supplier Cargill says it wants answers from world's largest producer
By Jane Byrne
nutraingredients.com/Decision News Media 2010-04-19
Despite evidence of drought causing sun-baked riverbeds and dry wells, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam blame China's dam projects
By Thomas Fuller
The New York Times 2010-04-01
Group rejects trade limits on bluefin tuna, polar bears, and previously, measure to aid sharks; adult population of two tunas down 74 percent over 50 years, much in past decade
By Juliet Eilperin
The Washington Post 2010-03-19
Scramble for water in China pits farmers against factories, and people concerned about the country's environment against those worried over shortages
By Steven Mufson
The Washington Post 2010-03-16
Opinion: Oxfam experiment of handing lump sum to poor Vietnamese families showed that they improved household food security and decreased village poverty rate
By Floyd Whaley
International Herald-Tribune 2010-03-15
Proposed ban on bluefin tuna pits Europeans, Americans against Japan, which consumes 80 percent globally, other fishing nations at UN talks
By Micahel Casey
The Associated Press; The Washington Post 2010-03-13
Bill that would lift restrictions on Cuban purchases of U.S. food, end limits on American travel there splitting GOP farm-state lawmakers
By Philip Brasher
The Des Moines Register 2010-03-13
Food, water needs are accelerating rich countries' 21st-century land grab in Africa, one of hungriest continents
By John Vidal
The Guardian (UK) 2010-03-07
Special fund to aid Mexico's poorest, smallest-scale farmers now subsidizing families of notorious drug traffickers, agriculture minister, other officials
By Tracy Wilkinson
Los Angeles Times 2010-03-07
Hope rises for endangered bluefin tuna with Obama's support of ban on international trade, but Japan is against measure
By Bryan Walsh
Time magazine 2010-03-04
In Chile, most earthquake-ready country, growing desperation over slow delivery of emergency water, food
By Alexei Barrionuevo and Marc Lacey
The New York Times 2010-03-02
Yemenis' craving for qat, a narcotic plant, drives water crisis; in capital city of Sana'a, taps ran dry in summer
By Hugh Macleod and John Vidal
The Guardian (UK) 2010-02-26
India's agriculture decline, soil degradation from subsidized chemical fertilizer overuse undermines its ambitious positioning
By Geeta Anand
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-02-23
Deep-sea trawling by fishing fleets devastating reefs untouched since Ice Age, endangering unknown species, researchers warn
By Ian Sample
The Guardian (UK) 2010-02-18
Debate over genetically modified food, long settled in U.S. with GM corn, soybeans, begins in India with halt of Monsanto's GM eggplant
By Erika Kinetz
The Associated Press; Los Angeles Times 2010-02-15
Hunting becomes economic imperative along bird migration route and in biodiversity "hotspot" of Balkans despite wildlife protection laws
By Phil Cain
GlobalPost 2010-02-16
Review extended on inspection rules for imported catfish as concern grows over trade war with Vietnam
By Kimberly Kindy
The Washington Post 2010-02-17
India to rule on allowing eggplant as first GM food; broad coalition, citing biodiversity, health, consolidation concerns, mobilizes against Monsanto
By Jason Burke
The Guardian (UK) 2010-02-08
Opinion: Obama's words on strengthening trade welcome, since international trade is responsible for financial stability of one in five Americans
The editors
Los Angeles Times 2010-02-05
National crisis brews as soil fertility, water tables diminish and Indian farmers despair
By Akash Kapur
The New York Times 2010-01-28
Brazilian beef company accused of invading Paraguayan tribal land, setting aside part of it for nature - to preserve space on diners' plates
By Fred Pearce
The Guardian (UK) 2010-01-28
Afghan government bans ammonium nitrate fertilizers, key ingredient of bombs sometimes packed in pressure cookers
By Alan Cullison and Yaroslav Trofimov
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-01-22
USDA opens door for pig skin imports for pork rinds, but critics fear disease; pork scraps often fed to hogs
By Lauren Etter
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-01-23
Disease from tainted water, fire smoke, mosquitoes, rough living has killed more in Darfur than violence, study shows
By Donald G. McNeil Jr.
The New York Times 2010-01-22
Imported goods bring rising number of invasive, destructive plants and insects
By Kris Maher
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-01-15
UN wants $560 million to supply food, water, medical support, shelter in Haiti
By Joe Lauria
The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2010-01-15
As population grows in girth, European governments consider fat tax
Der Spiegel 2010-01-11
Films: Bluefin tuna, extinction and "The End of the Line'
By Nathan Lee
The New York Times 2009-06-19
Threats force UN to stop food aid in south Somalia
By Barney Jopson
Financial Times (London) 2010-01-06
Bluefin tuna fetches $175,000 at Tokyo auction as conservationists call for species protection
By Roland Buerk
BBC News 2010-01-05
After public's mad-cow fears, Taiwan moves to re-instate partial U.S. beef ban
By Chuang Pichi, Roberta Rampton and Charles Abbott
Reuters 2009-12-29
Inflated harvest claims bring attention to European growers' co-ops
By Stephen Castle
The New York Times 2009-12-27
Israel decries produce labels specifying origin of Israeli settlement or Palestine
By Valerie Elliott
The Times (UK) 2009-12-12
Pressure builds for politically risky food, fuel subsidies cuts in Iran
Iran's lawmakers pressured to implement subsidies cuts on water, flour, bread, wheat, rice, oil, milk, sugar, fuel and postal and transportation services. Subsidies are to be replaced with cash handouts to lower-income half of population. And: Plan, which would hit hardest at urban middle class, could profoundly destabilize government of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, but could help wean Iran from its dependence on foreign gasoline and insulate economy from new sanctions - possible if Iran continues to defy Western pressure over its nuclear program (click 'See also').
By Roshanak Taghavi
The Christian Science Monitor 2009-12-03
Physician and anti-hunger leader nominated to head USAID
Rajiv Shah, physician and undersecretary of agriculture since June, nominated to head the U.S. Agency for International Development. He led USDA efforts on Obama administration's food security initiative, part of global campaign to help small farmers get more food to the hungry. Obama has laid out ambitious agenda on foreign assistance, pledging to double it to $50 billion a year, pushing for $20 billion program in conjunction with other countries to fight hunger, to make economic development a pillar of his strategy in Afghanistan. And: Transcript of speech nominee helped write for secretary of state on food security (click 'See also').
By Mary Beth Sheridan
The Washington Post 2009-11-11
Protocol proposed for buying farmland in poor countries
New global protocol proposed to temper African farmland buying frenzy caused by growing population, scarce water supplies, climate change. South Korea bought huge areas of Madagascar recently while Chinese interests bought up large plots of Senegal to supply it with sesame. Accord could include ensuring pre-sale consent is given by local people as well as ensuring that smallholders do not lose out. First draft is expected to be released next spring. And: Analyst predicts civil unrest, with investing countries leaving trail of food scarcity for poor countries' local populations (click 'See also').
By Nick Mathiason
The Guardian (UK) 2009-11-02
Palm oil group rebuked for failing to include GHG standards in criteria
Palm oil group, at meeting, chooses not to include greenhouse gas emissions standards in criteria for 'sustainable' palm oil, but agrees on emissions from fertilizer use, fuel use, mill wastes, maintenance of water level in plantations on peat. Among 389 members are Unilever, Nestle, Conservation International, WWF. Environmental group publishes list of loopholes in accord; another calls it 'greenwash.' And: Palm oil, used in margarine, shortening, baked goods, candies, is high in saturated fat and promotes heart disease, research shows (click 'See also).
By Pete Browne
The New York Times 2009-11-06
Brazil becomes major exporter; deforestation continues
Despite bad roads, infrastructure lack, Brazil, with efficient management, technology, has become biggest exporter of beef, chicken, orange juice, green coffee, sugar, ethanol, the soybean complex of beans, meal and oil, and fourth biggest exporter of corn and pork. Amazon deforestation, however, continues. Former Brazilian agriculture minister, now agribusiness consultant, holds out hope of slowing rate with better monitoring, market-led initiatives. And: Brazil home to quarter of world's tropical forests. They sequester carbon for years and are a primary producer of oxygen (click 'See also').
By Jonathan Wheatley
Financial Times (London) 2009-11-04
Sweden targets food in CO2 cutback plan; burger cravers cringe
In Sweden, new labels listing CO2 emissions associated with production of foods appearing on some grocery items and restaurant menus - and inducing guilt in customers craving burgers. About 25 percent of emissions produced by people in industrialized nations can be traced to food they eat, research shows. Among recommendations, which give equal weight to health, environment: Eat carrots because they don't need heated greenhouses to grow; reduce fish consumption since stocks are depleted.
By Elisabeth Rosenthal
The New York Times 2009-10-23
Olive groves a casualty of farmer-settler tensions on West Bank
As usual at harvest time, tension between Palestinian farmers, Jewish settlers has risen over who controls the land. Olive tree for Palestinians is symbol of struggle and vital part of rural economy, thus a target for vandals. Nearly 500,000 olive trees have been destroyed in territories since 2000; Israel's army has cleared swathes of groves to create open areas in Gaza Strip, often taking big bites out of Palestinian land, and cut down thousands of trees near Jewish settlements. Palestinians and human-rights groups have repeatedly criticized Israeli army for failing to stop destruction.
By Al-Mughayir
The Economist 2009-10-15
Palau takes steps to protect sharks from extinction
Palau creates world's first shark sanctuary to protect more than 135 Western Pacific species of sharks and rays considered endangered or vulnerable, but has only one boat to patrol waters the size of Texas. President also calls for moratorium on 'finning' - the practice of hacking off shark fins (for shark-fin soup popular in China) and throwing the body back into sea - and an end to unregulated and destructive bottom trawling. Shark steaks are increasingly served in restaurants, replacing swordfish.
By John Heilprin
The Associated Press; The Washington Post 2009-09-24
Palau takes steps to protect sharks from extinction
Palau creates world's first shark sanctuary to protect more than 135 Western Pacific species of sharks and rays considered endangered or vulnerable, but has only one boat to patrol waters the size of Texas. President also calls for moratorium on 'finning' - the practice of hacking off shark fins (for shark-fin soup popular in China) and throwing the body back into sea - and an end to unregulated and destructive bottom trawling. Shark steaks are increasingly served in restaurants, replacing swordfish.
By John Heilprin
The Associated Press; The Washington Post 2009-09-24
Shipping industry reels from global recession
Recession rocks shipping industry as ports fill with fleets of empty freighters and Asian shipyards resist order cancellations for new ships. Shipping was beneficiary of China's status as world's factory. Shipping costs are so low today that it's worthwhile to ship Spanish tomatoes to China for processing into tomato paste, which is then shipped back to Europe. And: Steel containers are building blocks of global economy; when goods are shipped in such vast quantities, transport costs become negligible (click 'See also').
By Alexander Jung, Thomas Schulz and Wieland Wagner/Translated by Christopher Sultan
Der Spiegel 2009-08-11
Irrigation reform needed for future food supply in Asia
Without major reforms in agricultural water use, many developing nations in Asia face prospect of importing more than a quarter of rice, wheat, corn they will need by 2050, irrigation study shows. Already, area is most intensively irrigated in world; South Asia as a whole uses about 250 cubic kilometers of groundwater annually, accounting for almost half the world's total groundwater use. Study doesn't factor in impact of climate change.
International Water Management Institute, Eurekalert 2009-08-17
Some fish saved from brink; others may face extinction
With good management, many fish populations can recover from brink, new study shows. But there are more collapsed fish populations than ever known; many individual species - cod, for example - threatened; two-thirds of all stocks need to be rebuilt, half of those still overfished. And: Compass Group, world's largest contract caterer, bans 69 species of fish from menus at thousands of restaurants across UK, Ireland in a move hailed by campaigners fighting to protect threatened stocks (click 'See also').
By Brandon Keim
Wired 2009-07-30
Opinion: Goods from China earning reputation for shoddiness
Chinese drywall scandal just the latest in long string of contaminated products, including honey adulterated with antibiotics in 2002, cough syrup tainted with solvent in 2006, melamine-laden milk products in 2008. Consumers don't take well to being poisoned. Chinese goods are earning a reputation for shoddiness that will be hard to shake.
The editors
Chicago Tribune 2009-07-16
Fed mulls tighter rules on Vietnamese fish imports; U.S. beef exporters worry
Government considers tougher regulations for pangasius, a Vietnamese fish similar to catfish, by putting it under USDA instead of FDA. Imported products regulated by USDA must meet same food safety standards as domestic competitors. And: There's no reason to launch trade war with Vietnam over fish, editors say (click 'See also'). Pangasius industry critical to economy of Mekong River region; protectionism veiled as food safety is sensitive issue for Congressional friends of cattle.
By Philip Brasher
The Des Moines Register 2009-07-05
Concern grows over farmland investments in poor countries
Concern for equitable resource allocation grows as rich countries and world's largest food, financial and car companies invest $20 billion to $30 billion annually on farmland in developing countries (click 'See also'). UN says investment has doubled to nearly 20 million hectares (50 million acres) since last year. Analyst predicts civil unrest, with investing countries leaving trail of food scarcity for local populations, as well as devastated soils, dry aquifers and ruined ecology from highly intensive, chemical-based farming.
By John Vidal
The Guardian (UK) 2009-07-03
Analysis: Brazil's big beef firms tighten deforestation oversight
Brazil's cattle industry bends to demands to curb destruction of Amazon after Greenpeace report links JBS, other meatpackers to illegal deforestation (click 'See also'). After report, World Bank withdrew $90 million loan to one firm; Wal-Mart, other supermarkets vowed to stop buying beef from 11 producers. Bertin, JBS, Marfrig, Minerva make up 70 percent of Brazil's beef export market but account for 30 percent of domestic cattle purchases; it is unclear whether thousands of smaller processors, ranchers will change their ways.
By Reese Ewing and Stuart Grudgings
Reuters 2009-06-29
Foreign aid will shift to teaching skills rather than direct food donations
In shift, U.S. will focus on providing expertise, training, roads, infrastructure to boost agricultural productivity abroad rather giving emergency aid, USDA chief says. Nation is largest donor of emergency food aid - mainly crops grown by American farmers - but spends 20 times as much on food aid to Africa as it spends on programs that could boost food production. In 1980s, U.S. annual spending on African farming projects was $400 million-plus; by 2006 it had dwindled to $60 million.
By Mark Weinraub
Reuters 2009-06-29
Dams, drought turning Iraqi farms to desert, forcing food imports
Four-year drought, plus dams in Turkey, Syria, Iran drop water levels in Euphrates and the Tigris rivers, endangering Iraqi agriculture and destroying habitat for vipers, which now plague people, cattle. Farmers leaving land for cities, pushing country to import more food, though in 1950s it was one of few regional cereal-exporting countries. Drop in oil prices cuts budget for measures to increase water use efficiency.
The Independent (UK) 2009-06-15
Fresh water shortage causes sinkholes near Dead Sea
Dire water shortage made worse by tourism, chemical industries, growing population near Dead Sea, opens hazardous sinkholes. Problem originated in '60s, when Israel, Jordan began diverting water flowing through Dead Sea tributary, the Jordan River (click 'See also). Sinkholes form when subterranean salt layer that once bordered the sea is dissolved by fresh water that follows receding Dead Sea waters. In response, authorities close campground, date groves, naval base, and scrap plans for 5,000 new hotel rooms.
By Joseph Marks
The Associated Press; Times Union (Albany, NY) 2009-06-21
Supermarket beef sales driving rainforest destruction, report says
Demand for processed beef, used for pies, canned meat and frozen meals sold by British supermarkets driving rapid destruction of Amazon rainforest, three-year probe shows. Greenpeace urges supermarkets to boycott unscrupulous suppliers involved in illegal Brazilian deforestation, consumers to pressure supermarkets to clean up supply chains. Clearing tropical forests for agriculture creates 17 percent of greenhouse gas emissions - more than global transport system.
By David Adam
The Guardian (UK) 2009-05-31
Opinion: Fighting malnutrition of poverty with fortified foods
Chronic malnutrition in West Africa worsened by high food prices, less money sent home from workers abroad. Lack of micronutrients - iron, zinc, vitamin A, iodine - last year may have caused extra 44 million children permanent impairment. Americans typically get micronutrients from fortified foods; same strategy possible in Africa. And: Adding iodide to salt could increase global IQ 1 billion points (click 'See also').
By Nicholas D. Kristof
The New York Times 2009-05-26
Florida OJ industry faces triple tribulations
Florida orange juice industry faces drought, hurricane season, anti-dumping petition against a Brazilian juice processor (click 'See also'). Though juice futures have risen, orange stockpiles, recent low prices, could keep supermarket prices stable.
By Ted Jackovics
The Tampa Tribune 2009-05-05
Smithfield accused of hogging European markets
The number of hog farmers in Romania fell 90 percent in four years as Smithfield Farms swept into Eastern Europe with factory farming methods that drove down pork prices. Political influence, aggressive business strategy opened huge markets but also raised environmental and health complaints and has has displaced hundreds of thousands of small farmers. Poland had 56 percent drop in hog farmers in 12 years.
By Doreen Carvajal and Stephen Castle
The New York Times 2009-05-05
Obama wants double investment in global food security, feeding children
To aid global food security needs, Obama asks Congress to double financial support for agricultural development to $1 billion in 2010. Plan calls for providing U.S. food aid, capacity building, developmental assistance. He called for doubling funding to $200 million for USDA's McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, which helps support education, child development, and food security for some of the world's poorest children (click 'See also').
USDA 2009-05-07
Food aid to Pakistan, Afghanistan from USDA
Pakistan, Afghanistan to receive $27.5 million through USDA Food for Progress Program. Under plan, proceeds from sale of USDA-donated vegetable oil to agribusinesses there will help implement agricultural, rural development projects. Other efforts: developing agriculture trade corridors along border; improving production, processing of fruits, nuts, livestock; improving water, watershed management and irrigation methods; rehabilitating watersheds to increase crop yields and create jobs.
USDA 2009-05-07
Soot from primitive cooking stoves heating planet
Black carbon - soot from cooking with wood, dung or crop residues and from burning diesel, coal - found to be responsible for 18 percent of global warming. Replacing primitive cooking stoves could be stopgap, could avert worst projected consequences of global warming. Some villagers resist because food tastes different. Bill in Congress would require aid for black carbon reduction projects abroad, including introducing $20 solar-powered cookstoves in 20 million homes. And: $7 solar cooker wins $75,000 prize (click 'See also').
By Elisabeth Rosenthal
The New York Times 2009-04-16
For scientists, hunt is on for Pig Zero and A(H1N1) flu origin
Swine flu virus, a blend of genes from Americas pigs, Eurasia pigs, doesn't yet show genetic proof that those pigs ever met. Shipping pigs between Canada, U.S., Mexico for fattening, slaughter is routine; legal movement of pigs across oceans is rare. Western hemisphere part of virus has carried an avian segment for at least 10 years, human segment since 1993. And: Virus gets new name - influenza A(H1N1) - after pork industry complains (click 'See also').
By Donald G. McNeil Jr.
The New York Times 2009-05-01
Genetically modified crop yields suffer from hardy weeds
Rather than boosting yields, corn, soybeans genetically modified to resist insects and herbicide glyphosate have decreased production due to increased number of weedkiller-resistant weeds that compete for soil nutrients and moisture, study shows. Increased yields largely credited to better breeding, agricultural practices. And: Joining France, Luxembourg, Germany bans Monsanto's GM pest-resistant corn MON 810 (click 'See also').
By Tony C. Dreibus
Bloomberg 2009-04-14
From poppies to pomegranates in Afghanistan
Pomegranates can replace opium poppies for higher profit, beverage entrepreneur, UK grocery chain and Afghanistan tribes agree. 40,000 trees planted, with half a million more trees planned by end of 2010. Ability to reduce drug dependency is vast, since Afghan-sourced heroin is sold globally. And: In Afghanistan, Texas soldiers see path to victory through creation of wheat-seed farm superior to the 2,500 acres and subsistence plots controlled by Taliban (click 'See also').
By Shane Starling
nutraingredients.com/ Decision News Media 2009-03-31
Analysis: Global appetites spur agriculture growth
Agriculture grows as more people achieve better nourishment through more grain, a lot more meat, much more milk. Meat and grain prices up 30 percent to 50 percent above averages a decade ago; demand for olive oil (replacing pork fat), continues to grow in China, elsewhere. Monsanto, other agribusinesses, posting strong gains; investment firms buy farmland in far-flung countries, including Morocco, Algeria, Pakistan, Syria, Vietnam, Thailand, Sudan and India.
The Economist 2009-03-19
Solve food, water, energy woes together, UK scientist says
By 2030 UK will need 50 percent more food, energy and 30 percent more water, but all must be considered simultaneously, says UK scientist. Otherwise, shortages could unleash rioting, border conflicts, mass migration as people flee from worst-affected regions. Looming water shortages in China have prompted construction of 59 reservoirs to water from melting glaciers.
By Ian Sample
The Guardian (UK) 2009-03-18
In trucking spat, Mexico assigns tariffs to U.S. goods
After feds decide to end program allowing some Mexican trucks on U.S. highways, Mexico retaliates with tariffs on products from 40 states. Products include sunflower seed, soy sauce, beer, onions, pears, apricots, cherries, strawberries, grapes, dried fruit mixes, lettuce, potatoes, peas, almonds, fruit and vegetable juices, prepared soups, wine, plastic kitchenware, refrigerators, coffee makers, and dishwashers (click 'See also').
By Ken Ellingwood
Los Angeles Times 2009-03-18
Report: Unite policy to fight food, water, climate woes
Women, children more affected by food, water, climate crises, new report says. Recommendations for governments: Global rights-based approach to water for ecosystems, people; investments in climate-change mitigating potential of agriculture; blending policy approaches to water, agriculture and climate; recognition of women's involvement in farming, food production, water management; inclusion of small-scale farmers in reforming policy.
By Shiney Varghese
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy 2009-03-01
Banana firm wants wrongful death suits dismissed
Chiquita asks judge to dismiss wrongful death suits associated with payments it made to rival Colombian paramilitary groups in region that encompassed 200 of its banana farms (click 'See also'). Suits argue that payments aided terrorist groups, which pacified region with murders, kidnappings and improved Chiquita's profits; banana company says payments were extortion.
By Jane Musgrave
Palm Beach Post 2009-02-27
French government peddles glories of farming in ad campaign
As exodus continues from rural France, new, playful ad campaign aims to update image of farming to attract 'young blood. Farmers seen as guardians of rural and gastronomical heritage in country where each region boasts its own wine, cheese, sausage. And: Decision to enter farming helped by relative attractiveness of farm versus nonfarm earning opportunities and by ease of entry into farming as a business, says USDA (click 'See also').
By Eleanor Beardsley
National Public Radio/Morning Edition 2009-03-02
Joblessness, rising prices and backdrop of 'resource war'
Iraq war will be seen as first 'resource war,' where country used force to secure natural resources, predicts former UK scientific adviser. Same strategy could be used to find and keep fresh water, crop lands, minerals, in light of population growth, dwindling natural resources, rising sea levels. And: Swelling ranks of joblessness, rising prices threaten global stability (click 'See also').
By James Randerson
The Guardian (UK) 2009-02-13
Farming as strategy against Taliban in Afghanistan
In Afghanistan, Texas soldiers see path to victory through creation of wheat-seed farm superior to the 2,500 acres and subsistence plots controlled by Taliban. Project could free farmers from Taliban-approved suppliers and lousy products from Pakistan. And it's cheaper - farm project estimated at $7.5 million to $9 million; military assault, occupation and rehabilitation of Khajanoor Farms might cost $12 million to $18 million.
By Jim Landers
The Dallas Morning News 2009-02-01
Cholera epidemic spreads from Zimbabwe
Cholera epidemic moves with victims to rural Zimbabwe and into South Africa. Disease, caused by drinking water tainted with sewage, took hold after health, sanitation systems collapsed under economic crisis in troubled country. Nearly 2,500 people have died; more than 40,000 are infected. And: Cholera is a measure of government's failure (click 'See also').
By Nelson Banya
Reuters 2009-01-22
Toward limits, controls on pesticides, weedkillers in EU
European Parliament votes to tighten rules on pesticides, ban at least 22 toxins. New rules would limit or ban use of toxins near schools, parks, hospitals, aquatic environments, drinking water; wholesale aerial crop-spraying would also be banned; honeybees and other pollinators (click 'See also') would be protected. Opposition predicts loss of one-fourth produce, high vegetable prices. Rules must be OK'd by 27 member states' governments.
BBC News 2009-01-13
Sea's CO2 absorption falls; tougher emissions limits may be required
Suddenly, Sea of Japan absorbing much less carbon dioxide than before, scientists find; other oceans likely affected. Weakening of absorption would require countries to adopt stricter emissions limits to prevent dangerous rises in temperature. And: It's the tiny ocean plants - phytoplankton - that absorb CO2 (click 'See also') to build cells during photosynthesis, then, upon death, carry carbon in their cells to deep ocean, sequestering them. They're also base of marine food web. Zooplankton - tiny animals - eat phytoplankton and are in turn eaten. If phytoplankton don't get enough nutrients, surface waters become "marine deserts," so fish can't survive in surface water, and seabirds can't eat.
By David Adam
The Guardian (UK) 2009-01-12
Europeans back to cooking with gas?
At least 18 European countries' natural gas supplies cut when Russia stopped flow to Ukraine over payment dispute. Pending compromise may bring relief to millions, but history of spats leaves Europeans uncertain, EU looking to further diversify energy sources. And: Thousands in Bulgaria go without heat, cooking gas (click 'See also').
By Leo Cendrowicz
Time magazine 2009-01-09
Shortages of drinking water, food in Gaza
Clean water, food, fuel in short supply; reports of raw sewage in some streets of Gaza Strip as Israeli air strikes continue for seventh day and ground war begins (click 'See also'). UN says that at least 100 of some 400 Palestinians killed by Israeli action so far were civilians.
BBC News 2009-01-03
Amid political turmoil, cholera, hunger worsens in Zimbabwe
Cholera, spread by feces-fouled drinking water, has sickened 16,000-plus Zimbabweans since August. Nearly 1,000 have died (click 'See also); cases could surpass 60,000. Fresh water supplies captive to chaos of Mugabe regime; hospital system shut down by an exodus of workers whose salaries are worthless from hyperinflation. Millions enduring severe and worsening hunger. And: UN, running out of funds, may cut food rations there (click 'See also').
By Celia W. Dugger
The New York Times 2008-12-12
Promise of sustained prosperity dims as global trade slows
Slow U.S. economy stalls global trade, jobs. Freight lines that sailed full in summer now slashing prices as cargo traffic plummets and unsold goods pile up at ports - shipment of soybeans rotted for lack of shipping, insurance funding. Decline is affecting export boom that brought investment, trade to China, India and lifted millions out of poverty in recent years.
By Anthony Faiola and Ariana Eunjung Cha
The Washington Post 2008-12-11
Opinion: Tiny changes, big benefits in brainpower
Adding 1 billion points to global IQ is as simple as adding iodine to salt, and Canada leads way with Micronutrient Initiative, which also advocates adding vitamin A, iron, zinc and folic acid to diets. Simple technology improves lives at low cost and in short time, says World Bank.
By Nicholas D. Kristof
The New York Times 2008-12-04
Opinion: Obama gets bill for 200 years of burning fossil fuel
Obama must grasp that food, climate, energy, economy are globally linked and must be solved together, and that atmospheric CO2 must be cut from 385 to 350 parts per million. Fossil-fuel use must cease by 2030; we must make massive investment in green energy; we need a Marshall Plan for carbon. And: Food/agriculture sector of economy produces more than one third of greenhouse gas emissions, says UN agency (click 'See also).
By Bill McKibben
The Guardian (UK) 2008-11-06
New ethical, environmental rules for Wal-Mart suppliers
Equating water pollution, other lapses with cheating on customers, Wal-Mart announces new supplier standards, including ban on child labor, forced labor and pay below local minimum wage. New rules also will include audits of factories for working conditions and compliance with standards regarding water, air, land pollution and waste disposal. Critic says incentives to cheat include pressure to offer low prices, plus lucrative, long-term contracts.
By Stephanie Rosenbloom
International Herald Tribune 2008-10-22
Feeding hunger with bushmeat may cause extinctions
Gorillas, elephants, other animals at risk of extinction as starving population in central Africa struggles to eat and more people move to region for jobs in illegal logging and mining industries. Granting local peoples limited hunting while managing specific populations of animals in jungle may be only way to conserve, study authors say.
Scientific American 2008-09-15
'Humanitarian emergency' in remote, poor North Korea
Feeding 6.3 million North Koreans to avert famine will cost half a billion dollars in emergency food aid in next 15 months, UN says. U.S. just delivered 110,000 tons of food, but bad weather, price hikes, export restrictions and political maneuvering have kept stores low. And: Roughly a third of country's children, mothers are malnourished (click 'See also').
By Peter Ford
The Christian Science Monitor 2008-09-04
Forecasting hunger, thirst, unrest amidst dwindling U.S. influence
As planet faces droughts, food shortages and water shortages, with subsequent mass migrations and social unrest from climate change, U.S. influence will diminish because that of other countries will grow, 2025 intelligence analysis predicts. Intelligence agencies accept scientific view of global warming, and that it's too late to avoid consequences over the next 20 years. Barack Obama has been briefed; John McCain is next.
By Joby Warrick and Walter Pincus
The Washington Post 2008-09-10
Opinion: Feeding hungry planet begins with freer trade
Collapse of trade talks indicates revolution in way we see economics of agriculture, and it should be reflected in freer trade. It's time for U.S. to let markets and need determine what farmers grow and how they farm - and lead by example. And: Doha failed after U.S., India and China couldn't agree on farmer protections in developing countries (click 'See also').
By Victor Davis Hanson
The New York Times 2008-08-01
Analysis: Candidate's speech lacks trade details
Barack Obama's Berlin speech vague on trade, a concern for Europe considering earlier vow to renegotiate NAFTA, opposition to Colombian trade deal. Europeans dislike $289 billion farm/food bill that maintains U.S. farm subsidies; Americans say they're losing $200 million yearly because Europe won't buy their chickens disinfected by chlorine bath. Click 'See also' for youtube video.
By Steven Erlanger
The New York Times 2008-07-25
Debate over paring EU produce quality standards
EU debates produce grading - cucumber's maximum arc, refractive ability of a peach, 29 pages on quality standards for onions. Some favor stringency since shoppers aren't allowed to touch merchandise, but agriculture commissioner wants regulations pared, citing waste, food prices and bureaucracy.
By John Ward Anderson
The Washington Post 2008-07-08
Biotech boosted in US hunger relief plan
Genetically modified crops get boost in Bush administration's $770 million hunger package. Advocates say such crops can result in higher yields from plants that are hardier in harsh climates. Fierce critics in US, Europe, and in Africa say they can cause unforeseen medical problems, that water, fertilizer and weedkillers also required aren't affordable to poor farmers, and that the move benefits agribusiness.
By Stephen J. Hedges
Chicago Tribune 2008-05-14
Opinion: Saving Burma
Airlifting of food, water and shelter to the two million at risk of death in Burma would not constitute an attack on a government but would aid people abandoned by their rulers. Where are the saber-rattlers? The Burmese must die because we are too busy pretending to save Afghans and Iraqis. For progress report on aid delivery, click 'See also.'
By Simon Jenkins
The Times (UK) 2008-05-11
Middle class outrage
Indians unite against President Bush after he cites diet of its growing middle class as factor in food price hikes. Earlier, Condoleezza Rice had listed dietary improvements in China and India as contributors to food crisis. Says one critic: 'If Indians start eating like Americans, the world would have to grow food on the moon.'
By Rama Lakshmi
The Washington Post 2008-05-08
Biotech, biofuels and farming report
U.S., Canada, UK and Australia withhold OK of 400-scientist report calling for farming changes over positions on biotech and biofuels. Scientists said that genetically modified crops aren't quick solution to feeding the poor because assessment lags behind technology, and that biofuels rush can raise food prices and marginalize small-scale farmers or displace them.
By John Vidal
The Guardian (UK) 2008-04-16
An awakening
As Raoul Castro relaxes restrictions, Cubans buy pressure cookers and other consumer goods and make plans to plant coffee, other crops on unused state-owned land. The land initiative potentially could put more food on the table of all Cubans and bring in hard currency from exports, providing cash for a new consumer economy.
By Will Weissert
The Associated Press; Seattle Post-Intelligencer 2008-04-01
Distractions from Olympic plans
Coca-Cola, McDonald's and others, as sponsors of Beijing's Olympics, grow concerned over violent clashes in Tibet and western China, as well as China's support of Sudanese government. Anti-Olympic campaign activists, led by Mia Farrow, cite Sudan's Darfur crisis. Firms want to link to China's vast and growing market, not rile government.
By Mei Fong
The Wall Street Journal 2008-03-17
Thirst and hunger
Drought was beginning of Darfur crisis, speakers tell leaders at World Economic Forum. They cite population growth, climate change and continuously rising food and energy prices, and warn of conflicts to come. "Too often where we need water, we find guns," said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Diversion of food crops to biofuel also criticized.
Agence France-Presse 2008-01-26
Into the breach
Palestinians in Gaza cross ruins of border fence to stock up on milk, cheese, sheep, goats, cows and other items in Egypt. Egyptian officials say they won't hinder visits for food, water, medicine and consumer goods.
By Steven Erlanger
The New York Times 2008-01-25
Doubles trouble?
European Union declares cloned meat and milk safe for consumption, but politicians from the group's 27 countries expect fierce opposition. Battle could be similar to current fight over genetically modified agricultural products and uncertainty of long-term effects.
By John W. Miller
The Wall Street Journal 2008-01-11
Looking forward
British government to review implications of trends in food industry, economy, society and environment after report details residents' increased consumption of refined and processed foods, as well as health implications of poor diet.
By Laura Crowley
Food Navigator 2008-01-04
Less for more
In Pakistan, Ramadan- and Eid-related demand for fruits, vegetables, milk, meat, poultry and cooking oil pushed September food prices up on a base of already-higher prices for wheat and flour. Experts expect decline beginning this month.
Daily Times (Pakistan) 2007-10-30
Holding prices
In effort to stop inflation, Russia's smaller retailers join major food producers and store chains in freezing prices of staple foods in months before elections; representative says that alcohol and other premium products, not bread, milk and eggs, are biggest moneymakers.
Thomson Financial News; Forbes; Rossiyskaya Gazeta 2007-10-26
Opinion: Food costs
Scramble to keep food prices artificially low in Russia and other countries with subsidies, quotas, price controls and export taxes distorts the market, and once cheap food prices are in place, it's politically impossible to withdraw, editors say.
The editors
Financial Times (London) 2007-10-24
Bread for votes?
As elections near, major Russian food producers and retailers agree to freeze prices on milk, bread, eggs and cooking oil; other measures include raising export taxes on grain, intervention on the commodities market and reducing import for dairy products.
The Associated Press; International Herald-Tribune 2007-10-24
Biotech future
Despite strong community opposition, European Union OKs imports of genetically modified corn and sugar beet for human and animal food; varieties were developed by subsidiary of DuPont, a unit of Dow Chemical, Monsanto and a German plant breeding company, KWS SAAT and taps into the $6 billion biotech crop market.
Bloomberg News; Reuters; International Herald Tribune 2007-10-24
Left out
Though many in sub-Saharan Africa depend on farming for their living, new study shows that World Bank has long neglected support for region and its most important client; poverty expert likens criticism to saying that Coca-Cola is bad at making soft drinks.
By Celia W. Dugger
The New York Times 2007-10-15
Not a drop
With seven percent of world's water and 20 percent of its population, China rollicks northward as concerns grow about dwindling water supplies, the worldwide economic impact of reducing wheat farming for conservation, and pervasive pollution of rivers and reservoirs.
By Jim Yardley
The New York Times 2007-09-28
Costly changes
Biofuels hunger plus growing middle class in Asia and Latin America drive worldwide demand for corn, wheat and other staples, causing tenacious hikes in grocery bills; grain stockpiles down to 30-year low and humanitarian groups worry about feeding world's poor.
By Scott Killman
Wall Street Journal 2007-09-28
Corn conundrum
Praying to the god of corn has its price: nitrogen waste in the waterways, taxpayer money feeding the industry, low-nutrition meat from animals that eat it, but it provides a fertile field of medical research, and in Mexico, growing corn is the only way one farmer ensures his wife's tortillas have the authentic taste.
By Hugh Dellios
Chicago Tribune 2007-09-09
Opinion: Gorilla warfare
Though armed and hungry guerrillas with a taste for wild meat often spell doom for mountain gorillas, it's Africa's demand for charcoal - cooking fuel -- that truly is endangering them, leveling forests and spoiling water for drinking and habitats, paleontologist says.
By Richard Leakey
BBC News 2007-09-10
Opinion: China quality
As country's importance grows in the international market, Chinese people should understand that there will be greater scrutiny of both country and products, so greater care for quality and food safety is important; errors would victimize its own people first.
By Wu Jianmin
People's Daily Online (China) 2007-08-27
Teaching respect:
Norway's Bastoey Prison now operates with ecologically sound food production, solar panels, wood-fire heating instead of oil and strict recycling to teach its 115 inmates respect for environment and for others.
Modified sugar:
Genetically modified sugar beet seed designed to resist Monsanto herbicide is gaining popularity among growers and processors, including American Crystal Sugar Co.; Wyoming Sugar Co., and Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative; farmers must pay $60 premium per acre, and GMO sugar won't carry special label.
Associated Press; CNN 2007-08-22
No, thank you
CARE turns down $45 million in food aid from U.S., citing practice of selling tons of often heavily subsidized American farm products in African countries that compete with the crops of local farmers; other charities disagree.
By Celia W. Dugger
The New York Times (may require subscription)
Fish in decline:
Overfishing, poaching and pollution have depleted worldwide fish stocks to 10 percent of normal; for every pound of shrimp harvested, 10 pounds are discarded, along with turtles and dolphins, conservationists report.
By Eviana Hartman
Washington Post
Wal-Mart's adventure:
When discount superstore partnership enters India through wholesale stores, obstacles will include supply chain made up of mostly small shopkeepers, long chains of middlemen, each of whom takes a cut, and up to 60 percent waste during food transport.
Wall Street Journal (may require subscription)
Reviews:
"The Zen of Fish," and "The Sushi Economy," offer lessons in how global economy works, dangers of over-fishing and how it thrives on demand, and why trout might not be the best choice for eating raw (think tapeworms).
By Stuart Biggs
bloomberg.com 2007-08-08
Food/Farm bill:
Bush administration's buy-local request for emergency food aid could help Kenyans, some of the world's poorest people, advocates say, but U.S. is mired in domestic farm subsidies and lobbies of shipping interests; aid for agricultural projects lags as well.
By Celia W. Dugger
The New York times (may require subscription)
OPINION
Current agricultural policies distort food costs, waste billions of taxpayer dollars, and subsidize a handful of large farming operations that raise a few selected crops - and subvert subsistence farmers across the globe by dumping cheap surplus goods at below-market prices.
By Senator Richard Lugar and Representative Ron Kind
The Modesto Bee (CA) 2007-07-15
Cheese by name?
Following South America and Asia, Germany calls a cheese by the name of a town in Italy famous for its cheese, causing purists to shudder and the Euro-court to contemplate - is Parmigiano Reggiano only from Italy, or is it just a style of crystal-grained, crumbly and tart-sweet cheese that adorns many pasta dishes?
ansa.it