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Summit targets global food crisis Summit targets global food crisis
(about 1 hour later)
A key UN-sponsored summit is set to open in Rome aimed at addressing the problem of soaring global food prices.A key UN-sponsored summit is set to open in Rome aimed at addressing the problem of soaring global food prices.
Food costs are the highest in 30 years, causing riots in dozens of countries.Food costs are the highest in 30 years, causing riots in dozens of countries.
UN officials said Secretary General Ban Ki-moon would call for the immediate suspension or elimination of price controls or other trade restrictions.UN officials said Secretary General Ban Ki-moon would call for the immediate suspension or elimination of price controls or other trade restrictions.
But many observers have so far focused on Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, whose presence at the summit has been called "obscene" by the UK and Australia.But many observers have so far focused on Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, whose presence at the summit has been called "obscene" by the UK and Australia.
Map showing impact of food price rises on trade balances
Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said the Zimbabwean president was "the person who has presided over the starvation of his people".Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said the Zimbabwean president was "the person who has presided over the starvation of his people".
Biofuel issueBiofuel issue
The host of the Rome conference - the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) - has warned the industrialised countries that unless they increase yields, eliminate barriers and move food to where it is needed most, a global catastrophe could result.The host of the Rome conference - the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) - has warned the industrialised countries that unless they increase yields, eliminate barriers and move food to where it is needed most, a global catastrophe could result.
SUMMIT AGENDA Price controls, trade tariffs and export bansSubsidies for biofuelsHelp for farmers in poorer countriesEffect of climate change on agriculture Cheap food era overChallenges for the summit
The recent crisis is believed to have pushed 100 million people into hunger worldwide.The recent crisis is believed to have pushed 100 million people into hunger worldwide.
Poorer countries are faced with a 40% increase in their food imports bill this year, and experts say some countries' food bills have doubled in the past year.Poorer countries are faced with a 40% increase in their food imports bill this year, and experts say some countries' food bills have doubled in the past year.
Rising prices have sparked protests such as here in Pakistan
"A lot of countries have to import more or less as what they did in the past, they had to because it's the basic food," FAO official Abby Abbassian told the BBC."A lot of countries have to import more or less as what they did in the past, they had to because it's the basic food," FAO official Abby Abbassian told the BBC.
"But that means they must have spent at least twice as much as in the previous year because prices have gone up at least by 100%.""But that means they must have spent at least twice as much as in the previous year because prices have gone up at least by 100%."
The BBC's Christian Fraser in Rome says the FAO is calling on donor countries to dig deeper - to help farmers in developing countries get access to fertiliser, seeds and the animal feed they require.The BBC's Christian Fraser in Rome says the FAO is calling on donor countries to dig deeper - to help farmers in developing countries get access to fertiliser, seeds and the animal feed they require.
It says the problem of chronic underinvestment in agriculture can no longer be ignored.It says the problem of chronic underinvestment in agriculture can no longer be ignored.
Ahead of the conference, the Islamic Development Bank said at a meeting in Saudi Arabia that it would spend $1.5bn (£760m) over five years to help the least developed Muslim countries tackle the food crisis.Ahead of the conference, the Islamic Development Bank said at a meeting in Saudi Arabia that it would spend $1.5bn (£760m) over five years to help the least developed Muslim countries tackle the food crisis.
One area expected to generate disagreements in Rome is biofuel - most of the increase in maize production last year went into making fuels such as ethanol, not food.One area expected to generate disagreements in Rome is biofuel - most of the increase in maize production last year went into making fuels such as ethanol, not food.
Mr Ban intends to ask the US and other countries to phase out subsidies that encourage farmers to produce for fuel.Mr Ban intends to ask the US and other countries to phase out subsidies that encourage farmers to produce for fuel.
UN officials said there would be a range of "confidence-building" options for governments.UN officials said there would be a range of "confidence-building" options for governments.
The taskforce Mr Ban created to target the food crisis is expected to present a 38-page report with measures that could cost up to $15bn (£7.5bn) to implement.The taskforce Mr Ban created to target the food crisis is expected to present a 38-page report with measures that could cost up to $15bn (£7.5bn) to implement.
In the short term, the report will call for a reduction in tariffs and the provision of subsidies for poorer farmers.In the short term, the report will call for a reduction in tariffs and the provision of subsidies for poorer farmers.
HAVE YOUR SAYMr Mugabe attending a UN food summit is like Adolf Hitler attending a UN human rights summitJohn, Yelm, Washington, USAMugabe in Rome - your commentsEyes on Mugabe at Rome summit
Long-term measures will focus on increased investment.Long-term measures will focus on increased investment.
'Cascade' risk
On the eve of the summit, Mr Ban said "we are literally paying the price" for overlooking investment in agriculture.On the eve of the summit, Mr Ban said "we are literally paying the price" for overlooking investment in agriculture.
HAVE YOUR SAYMr Mugabe attending a UN food summit is like Adolf Hitler attending a UN human rights summitJohn, Yelm, Washington, USAMugabe in Rome - your comments
"If not handled properly, this issue could trigger a cascade of other crises - affecting economic growth, social progress, and even political security around the world," he warned."If not handled properly, this issue could trigger a cascade of other crises - affecting economic growth, social progress, and even political security around the world," he warned.
The main causes of the rising food prices include rising demand from fast-developing countries, higher oil costs and global warming.The main causes of the rising food prices include rising demand from fast-developing countries, higher oil costs and global warming.
Officials will hope the plight of the poor diverts attention away from the presence of Mr Mugabe. name="map"> class="bodl" href="#story">Click here to return
Mr Mugabe and his ministers are usually subject to a European Union travel ban - but he is able to attend UN forums.
It is his first visit to Europe since the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) won a majority in parliamentary elections in March and forced him into a 27 June run-off in presidential elections.
Zimbabwe used to be a net food exporter but now suffers chronic food shortages.
How can the problem of global food prices be tackled? Should price controls and trade restrictions be eliminated? Tell us your thoughts on the summit in Rome by filling in the form below.
How can the problem of global food prices be tackled? Should price controls and trade restrictions be eliminated? Tell us your thoughts on the summit in Rome by filling in the form below.
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