Food 1- Managing Food Supply

Question 1

Common Agricultural Policy pre 1992

Answer 1

To increase agricultural productivity, ensure a fair standard of living for farmers, stabilise agricultural markets, ensure reasonable consumer prices and maintain employment in agricultural areas

Question 2

CAP (pre 1992) policies

Answer 2

Import tariffs, intervention prices, subsidies

Question 3

Import tariffs

Answer 3

Taxes applied to goods imported into the EU

Question 4

Intervention prices

Answer 4

Set by the EU guaranteeing prices for each commodity

If the price falls, the EU buys up the produce

Question 5

Subsidies

Answer 5

Money is paid to farmers to grow particular crops to maintain home-grown supplies

Question 6

Results of the CAP (pre 1992)

Answer 6

Brought the EU close to self-sufficiency
Overproduction lead to surpluses known as ‘mountains and lakes’ e.g. Butter, wine, cereal, beef, vegetables
Huge storage costs, over-intensive farming, growing tension with trading partners, difficult for LEDCs

Question 7

Common Agricultural Policy post 1992

Answer 7

Strategies to stop over-production and reduce surpluses

Question 8

CAP (post 1992) policies

Answer 8

Quotas, Set aside, ELS and buffer zones

Question 9

Quotas

Answer 9

Used to reduce production; farmers given strict amounts they can produce (e.g. Milk)

Question 10

Set aside

Answer 10

Arable farmers must set aside part of their land not grow any crops on it (but manage it)
To reduce over-production of cereals and use the land for growing oilseed rape (fuel)
If 20%, paid £200 per hectare

Question 11

Results of the CAP (post 1992)

Answer 11

Surpluses fell dramatically, EU forced to rely on world prices, environmental benefits, WTO forced free trade

Question 12

CAP 2002 plan

Answer 12

Switch funds from intensive production to promoting agricultural stewardship, animal welfare, safer food

Question 13

Entry Level Stewardship Schemes

Answer 13

Includes hedgerow management, stone wall maintenance, buffer strips, ditch and pins management, bird & flower conservation and protection of archeological sites
£30 per hectare

Question 14

Buffer zones

Answer 14

Areas along field boundaries, around ponds and ditches
Create new habitats & protect species from pesticides, stabilise banks, protect water courses & archeological features

Question 15

The Green Revolution

Answer 15

A package of agricultural improvements to increase production and food security
Involved High Yielding Varieties (HYVs) of crops, fertilisers and irrigation, plus improved storage

Question 16

Successes of the Green Revolution

Answer 16

Global food production increased by three times
Need for water and chemical boosted the local manufacturing sector (reservoirs and HEP)
More jobs available and machinery used

Question 17

Failures of the Green Revolution

Answer 17

India’s output sometimes short of demand (e.g. Kalahandi experiences famine) & HYVs vulnerable to disease
More pesticides so organochlorides spread through ecosystems & pollute water supplies
Salinisation increased due to irrigation
Widens the income gap

Question 18

Advantages of Genetic Modification

Answer 18

Increase production & food security and reduce chemical usage
Successful trials (e.g. Soya and maize for animal feed)
Large profits which can be reinvested into the community

Question 19

Disadvantages of Genetic Modification

Answer 19

Health risks, unknown long term effects, could spread uncontrollably & remove organic status
In developing countries, GM crops may only be available to wealthier farmers

Question 20

Appropriate technology

Answer 20

The small scale use of sustainable technology which is appropriate to the local climate & environment and the wealth, skills and needs of the local population

Question 21

Examples of appropriate technology

Answer 21

Donkey plough, diguettes and tube wells