Food Supplies

Question 1

Why is food production growing at faster rates in LEDCs than MEDCs?

Answer 1

1. Higher population growth
2. Increasing GDP
3. Greater responsiveness of demand to income growth

Question 2

Over the last 15 years how much has agriculture increased by globally?

Answer 2

2.2%

Question 3

Over the last 15 years how much has agriculture increased by in LEDCs?

Answer 3

3.4%

Question 4

Over the last 15 years how much has agriculture increased by in MEDCs?

Answer 4

0.2%

Question 5

What percentage of global food production comes from LEDCs today and what was it 25 years ago?

Answer 5

Today 67%

25 years ago 50%

Question 6

By how much did grain production increase by from 1979-1990 and 1990-2009?

Answer 6

1979-90=64%

1990-2009=24%

Question 7

Agriculture definition

Answer 7

The production of food, animal feed, fibre, fuel and other goods by the systematic growing of plants and the breeding and raising of animals

Question 8

Define malnutrition

Answer 8

The lack of proper nutrition from a poorly balanced diet

Question 9

Undernutrition

Answer 9

Below the minimum level of dietary energy consumption” the department of health estimates this to be around 2250 calories

Question 10

Define DES

Answer 10

Dietary energy supply- average calorific intake per day. Countries with severe food supply shortages have a DES of below 2000 calories per person per day

Question 11

Why did global trade in agricultural products only increase a the rate of the global economic output?

Answer 11

1. Agriculture wasn’t fully included in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. Tariffs on agriculture are now as high as industrial one were in the 1950s
2. Domestic support policies in MEDCs
3. LEDCs promoted substitution at the expense of international trade
4. Agricultural production in LEDCs was aimed at saturated MEDC markets, e.g. Tea, coffee, cocoa

Question 12

In the early 1960s how much of a trade surplus did LEDCs have?

Answer 12

$6 billion

Question 13

As of 1990 did LEDCs still have a trade surplus?

Answer 13

No their trade was roughly in balance

Question 14

Is agricultural trade now more or less important for MEDCs?

Answer 14

Less, although some e.g. France, New Zealand and the USA still have agriculture as a substantial part of their exports

Question 15

Why has Western Europe now become exporters of cereals, meat and sugar rather than importers?

Answer 15

Due to the successes of the CAP

Question 16

How much was the Global fair trade market worth in 2005?

Answer 16

£350 million

Question 17

By what percentage are fair trade sales growing per year in countries which endorse it?

Answer 17

20%

Question 18

What percentage of all coffee consumed in the U.K. In 2005 was fair trade?

Answer 18

5%

Question 19

Define geopolitics

Answer 19

The way geography, democracy, economics and the distribution of resources interrelate with the politics of nations and the relationships between nations

Question 20

What two themes dominated the international geopolitics of food in the early 21st century?

Answer 20

1. The issue of free trade in world food

2. The issue of food security for developing countries especially those in sub sharan Africa

Question 21

What is the simple theory behind free trade?

Answer 21

Each commodity will be grown where it is best suited to and most advantageous

Question 22

What holds back the idea of free trade?

Answer 22

The policy of protectionism held by countries and organisations such as the EU who place tariffs on imports to keep the price of their farmers comparatively cheaper

Question 23

What does the WTO stand for?

Answer 23

World Trade Organisation

Question 24

What has the WTO allowed the MEDCs to do?

Answer 24

Open up markets in LEDCs and influence the production of cash crops

Question 25

What are ghost acres?

Answer 25

Acres of land in LEDCs where food is being produced for MEDCs even in times of food shortage.

Question 26

What is food security?

Answer 26

When all people, at all time have access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary requirements and food preferences for a healthy life

Question 27

How are the UN millennium goals being achieved?

Answer 27

1. Increase in aid and debt relief to the poorest nations
2. Reduce both subsidies for farmers and food production in developed countries p
3. The 5 key drivers of food and nutrition security
   - rural road construction
   - education
   - clean water provision
   - agricultural research
   - irrigation

Question 28

Give an example of how food aid can be used as a blackmailing tool

Answer 28

America withdrew food aid to Bangladesh in 1974 to ‘persuade’ the country not to trade with Cuba

Question 29

What is the general pattern of food consumption and production (7 points)

Answer 29

1. Much food is still produced locally (LEDCs) or nationally (MEDCs)
2. More and more food is being produced for global markets as opposed to domestic consumption
3. The actions of TNCs and governments has lead to commercialisation
4. Food is travelling longer and longer distances
5. Demand for non seasonal food stuffs is high
6. Many countries are net importers, few are net exporters
7. Agricultural trade makes up much of LEDCs exports but very little of MEDCs exports

Question 30

When was the WTO set up?

Answer 30

1995

Question 31

What did the WTO do?

Answer 31

1. Police free trade agreements
2. Settle disputes and organise trade negotiations
3. Promote free trade by persuading nations to get rid of tariffs and barriers

Question 32

Views in favour of the WTO

Answer 32

Helps countries economies grow and reduce poverty, LEDCs will earn more from exports

Question 33

Views against the WTO

Answer 33

1. LEDCs will import food, putting their own farmers out of work
2. While LEDCs have imported more food, USA and EU haven’t