5.A future of food

Question 1

geopolitics of food

Answer 1

• relations between space and nation
• food is a geopolitical commodity due to fears raised by Malthus of population and food supply
• G8 summit 2009 addressed need for better and more food to those in need
• defensive measures - food export bans and land acquisitions

Question 2

‘food problem’

Answer 2

• not caused by problems of food production / security
• caused by distribution, markets technology, commercial opportunities, land and water
• access to market / distribution
• place of food growth and where most needed = increase pressure on global political relations

Question 3

key players of food system

Answer 3

• national government - independent or joined
• international organisations - WTO
• profit-making organisations - agribusinesses, TNCs and food retailers
• NGOs - WTF

Question 4

Food production system

Answer 4

• production
• processing
• distribution
• access
• consumption
• waste

Question 5

principles of free trade

Answer 5

• respect for environment
• fair trade
• capacity building
• ensuring good working conditions
• transparency and accountability to production
• fair price
• no child labour/ forced labour
• gender equality, women empowerment and non-discrimination

Question 6

opportunities to ensure food security - trade positives

Answer 6

• governments are working together
• increase of x5 in trade in 10yrs
• agriculture is more than 1/3 of export earnings in 50 EDCs
• barriers created for developing countries: Russia, Brazil = new trade flows
• global trade = varied diets

Question 7

opportunities to ensure food security - trade negatives

Answer 7

• exports subsidies and import tariffs in international markets = poor countries cannot compete fairly
• expenditure on staples decrease and increase on processed foods
• need for more safety and quality checks

Question 8

opportunities to ensure food security - trade blocks

Answer 8

• agreement between a number of countries to promote free trade between members and impose tariffs on imports from non-membered states
• 1963 EU introduced CAP

Question 9

CAP

Answer 9

• provided affordable food for EU citizens
• fair standard of living for farmers
  BUT
• guaranteed prices for farmers = surplus food and depleted world prices = no competition

Question 10

opportunities to ensure food security - multilateral agreements

Answer 10

• several countries in trading relationship with 3rd party

eg Lomé Agreement 1975 - EU gave ACP nations almost complete free trade access to EU markets

Question 11

opportunities to ensure food security - bilateral agreements

Answer 11

• agreement made between two political entities that has mutual benefits and legally binding to the two parties
  eg - Sainsbury’s and Waitrose have trade agreements with St Lucia for fair trade bananas

Question 12

LIDC glass ceiling to AC markets

Answer 12

• Developing countries want access to AC markets
• agri importance for LIDC economies
• LIDCs are marginalised and unable to compete competitively in global trade environment

Question 13

opportunities to ensure food security - WTO

Answer 13

• set up 1995 as continuation of 1947 GATT
• based in Geneva Switzerland
• 164 members
• 97% of world trade
• provide forum for governments to negotiate trade agreements and support free trade etc

Question 14

impact of unfair trade on farmers in LIDCs

Answer 14

• foreign buyers impose quality control measures = increase waste at production end of supply chain
• cash crops
• prices unstable due to natural disasters/ illness in LIDCs
• reliance on agriculture
• unfair terms of trade and protectionist measures