Statement made on 16 April 2008 by Senator Lucie Pépin (retired)
Hon. Lucie Pépin:
Honourable senators, the world is gripped by hunger.
We are in the midst of an escalating food crisis. Global food reserves are at
their lowest levels in 30 years. There are serious shortages of rice, wheat and
corn, the basic foods of millions of people around the world.
Prices for staple foods have doubled and even tripled in some countries, and
these spectacular increases are having a serious impact on developing countries,
where average food costs represent up to 70 per cent of wages, compared to 15
per cent in developed countries.
The scarcity of grains and the huge rise in grain prices are due to a
combination of factors. Climate change, the higher cost of petroleum products,
extensive biofuel production and financial speculation are the main reasons for
the food crisis.
Demonstrations against inflation and the soaring price of staple foods have
taken place in Africa, Asia, Latin American and the Caribbean. In some places,
there have been violent riots.
This food insecurity could push 100 million people in low-income countries
deeper into poverty. Major international agencies say that the world is on the
verge of a period of political turmoil, social upheaval and migration due to
hunger and inflation.
The situation must be stabilized as soon as possible. Recently, there have
been many appeals to that end. The Secretary-General of the UN has called on the
international community to take action immediately. The IMF has also sounded the
alarm. The President of the World Bank has spoken of the need for a new deal on
global food policy. The World Food Program has appealed to wealthy nations to
provide $.5 billion in emergency aid by May 1.
The United States responded quickly and this week released $200 million in
emergency food aid for the hardest hit countries. The Europeans followed suit.
The World Bank plans to increase its agricultural loans in Africa to $800
million.
I know that Canada has always been committed to fighting hunger through the
World Food Program. However, in light of the urgency and extent of the needs, I
appeal to our government to join without delay in the international efforts to
alleviate this food crisis, which is taking a serious toll on people around the
world. Canada must respond now.