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AFBF Steps in on Food Versus Fuel Debate
Published Thursday, May 08, 2008 at 04:49 AM
The American Farm Bureau Federation says there is no short-term fix for the complex global food situation. In a statement on global food prices submitted to Congress, AFBF said there are many factors causing an increase in food prices around the world that must be addressed with thoughtful and comprehensive measures. AFBF pointed to - escalating energy prices, demand and weather as being but a few culprits for rising food prices.

A February 2008 report by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization identifies the rising cost of energy, increased worldwide demand, weather impacts on crop production, lower stocks levels, and the production of biofuels and the operation of financial markets as part of the current global food situation. This has resulted in world price increases of 80 percent for some products from 2005 to 2008.

AFBF said - action must be taken to reduce our reliance on foreign sources of oil. The letter continued - development of domestic oil and gas reserves, a continued commitment to biofuels and development of renewable resources must be part of the solution. The organization also said - globally, countries should be discouraged from placing embargos on exports, which only result in escalating prices, and markets must be given time to adjust to growing demand and be allowed to stabilize.

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