Put value back into food
14 February 2008
Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister has predicted an end to the ‘cheap food’ policy, as food price inflation is predicted to rise by a further 20% in 2008, on the back of a 12% increase in 2007.
The MEP said,
“Historic production surpluses have been replaced by a seismic shift towards all-time low stocks of cereals, and recently dairy commodities. Competition for land from biofuels, production constraints due to environmental legislation, and increased demand from a booming Asian population are combining to alter the delicate supply-demand balance.”
“Food price inflation does not necessarily follow with higher margins for primary producers. Livestock production costs are also increasing substantially as a result of reduced global supply of feed, as well as the increased costs associated with environmental compliance and energy.”
“In the months that lie ahead, a mindset of ‘cheap food’ must be replaced by a re-discovered appreciation of the value of locally produced, quality food. I hope this will be accompanied by a greater appreciation of the role farmers play as food producers, and indeed custodians of the countryside.”
“If food costs are on the rise, then more importantly than ever we need a much greater degree of scrutiny of the supply chain. I reiterate my calls for an EU-wide investigation of the power of supermarkets, as a first step to introducing transparency and fairness for producers.”
ENDS
