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Food crisis talks set to begin | Food crisis talks set to begin |
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Envoys from 26 Latin American and Caribbean countries meet on Friday to discuss the rising cost of food and draw up a united policy for the region. | Envoys from 26 Latin American and Caribbean countries meet on Friday to discuss the rising cost of food and draw up a united policy for the region. |
The talks in Caracas, Venezuela, mark the beginning of a week of meetings on the issue, leading up to a three-day UN food crisis summit in Rome on Tuesday. | The talks in Caracas, Venezuela, mark the beginning of a week of meetings on the issue, leading up to a three-day UN food crisis summit in Rome on Tuesday. |
According to the World Bank, global food prices have risen by 83% over the past three years. | According to the World Bank, global food prices have risen by 83% over the past three years. |
The lender has announced a package of food grants totalling $1.2bn (£608m). | The lender has announced a package of food grants totalling $1.2bn (£608m). |
An influential report on Thursday warned that higher food prices might be here to stay as demand from developing countries and production costs rose. | An influential report on Thursday warned that higher food prices might be here to stay as demand from developing countries and production costs rose. |
Prices would fall, but only gradually, the report by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said. | Prices would fall, but only gradually, the report by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said. |
Food grants | Food grants |
The BBC's James Ingham, in the Venezuelan capital, says that like much of the rest of the developing world, Latin America's poor have not escaped from the increased food prices. | The BBC's James Ingham, in the Venezuelan capital, says that like much of the rest of the developing world, Latin America's poor have not escaped from the increased food prices. |
Tajikistan is one of the countries identified by the UN as a priority | Tajikistan is one of the countries identified by the UN as a priority |
While some countries are working together to tackle the crisis, there has been no united response and the meeting will aim to correct that, he says. | While some countries are working together to tackle the crisis, there has been no united response and the meeting will aim to correct that, he says. |
At a recent summit held with European leaders, American heads of state pledged to strengthen trade relations. | At a recent summit held with European leaders, American heads of state pledged to strengthen trade relations. |
However, an alternative "people's summit" held by social movements said liberalisation and deregulation were the principal causes of poverty. | However, an alternative "people's summit" held by social movements said liberalisation and deregulation were the principal causes of poverty. |
Some of the region's left-wing governments share that view and are focusing on reducing their reliance on imports, creating an agricultural development fund to help achieve this. | Some of the region's left-wing governments share that view and are focusing on reducing their reliance on imports, creating an agricultural development fund to help achieve this. |
In preparation for the UN-sponsored food crisis summit in Rome next week, the World Bank said there was "the need for a clear action plan". | In preparation for the UN-sponsored food crisis summit in Rome next week, the World Bank said there was "the need for a clear action plan". |
As part of its package it is setting aside grants worth a total of $200m for "high-priority" countries most at risk from acute hunger. | As part of its package it is setting aside grants worth a total of $200m for "high-priority" countries most at risk from acute hunger. |
The World Bank says 100 million people could be impoverished by the rising cost and scarcer availability of food. | The World Bank says 100 million people could be impoverished by the rising cost and scarcer availability of food. |
Fuel protests | Fuel protests |
Thursday's joint report by the UN and OECD believes the current price spike is higher than previous records, partly due to bad weather ruining crops. | Thursday's joint report by the UN and OECD believes the current price spike is higher than previous records, partly due to bad weather ruining crops. |
But factors such as rising biofuel demand and speculation will keep future costs high, it adds. | But factors such as rising biofuel demand and speculation will keep future costs high, it adds. |
Fuel prices have also been rising dramatically and the European Union braced for fresh strikes by fishermen on Friday. | Fuel prices have also been rising dramatically and the European Union braced for fresh strikes by fishermen on Friday. |
Trade unions say the cost of diesel oil has become prohibitively high and that many fishermen are being forced to give up a lifelong profession. | Trade unions say the cost of diesel oil has become prohibitively high and that many fishermen are being forced to give up a lifelong profession. |