Food Supplies Flashcards
Why is food production growing at faster rates in LEDCs than MEDCs?
- Higher population growth
- Increasing GDP
- Greater responsiveness of demand to income growth
Over the last 15 years how much has agriculture increased by globally?
2.2%
Over the last 15 years how much has agriculture increased by in LEDCs?
3.4%
Over the last 15 years how much has agriculture increased by in MEDCs?
0.2%
What percentage of global food production comes from LEDCs today and what was it 25 years ago?
Today 67%
25 years ago 50%
By how much did grain production increase by from 1979-1990 and 1990-2009?
1979-90=64%
1990-2009=24%
Agriculture definition
The production of food, animal feed, fibre, fuel and other goods by the systematic growing of plants and the breeding and raising of animals
Define malnutrition
The lack of proper nutrition from a poorly balanced diet
Undernutrition
Below the minimum level of dietary energy consumption” the department of health estimates this to be around 2250 calories
Define DES
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
Why did global trade in agricultural products only increase a the rate of the global economic output?
- 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
- Domestic support policies in MEDCs
- LEDCs promoted substitution at the expense of international trade
- Agricultural production in LEDCs was aimed at saturated MEDC markets, e.g. Tea, coffee, cocoa
In the early 1960s how much of a trade surplus did LEDCs have?
$6 billion
As of 1990 did LEDCs still have a trade surplus?
No their trade was roughly in balance
Is agricultural trade now more or less important for MEDCs?
Less, although some e.g. France, New Zealand and the USA still have agriculture as a substantial part of their exports
Why has Western Europe now become exporters of cereals, meat and sugar rather than importers?
Due to the successes of the CAP
How much was the Global fair trade market worth in 2005?
£350 million
By what percentage are fair trade sales growing per year in countries which endorse it?
20%
What percentage of all coffee consumed in the U.K. In 2005 was fair trade?
5%
Define geopolitics
The way geography, democracy, economics and the distribution of resources interrelate with the politics of nations and the relationships between nations
What two themes dominated the international geopolitics of food in the early 21st century?
- The issue of free trade in world food
2. The issue of food security for developing countries especially those in sub sharan Africa
What is the simple theory behind free trade?
Each commodity will be grown where it is best suited to and most advantageous
What holds back the idea of free trade?
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
What does the WTO stand for?
World Trade Organisation
What has the WTO allowed the MEDCs to do?
Open up markets in LEDCs and influence the production of cash crops
What are ghost acres?
Acres of land in LEDCs where food is being produced for MEDCs even in times of food shortage.
What is food security?
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
How are the UN millennium goals being achieved?
- Increase in aid and debt relief to the poorest nations
- Reduce both subsidies for farmers and food production in developed countries p
- The 5 key drivers of food and nutrition security
- rural road construction
- education
- clean water provision
- agricultural research
- irrigation
Give an example of how food aid can be used as a blackmailing tool
America withdrew food aid to Bangladesh in 1974 to ‘persuade’ the country not to trade with Cuba
What is the general pattern of food consumption and production (7 points)
- Much food is still produced locally (LEDCs) or nationally (MEDCs)
- More and more food is being produced for global markets as opposed to domestic consumption
- The actions of TNCs and governments has lead to commercialisation
- Food is travelling longer and longer distances
- Demand for non seasonal food stuffs is high
- Many countries are net importers, few are net exporters
- Agricultural trade makes up much of LEDCs exports but very little of MEDCs exports
When was the WTO set up?
1995
What did the WTO do?
- Police free trade agreements
- Settle disputes and organise trade negotiations
- Promote free trade by persuading nations to get rid of tariffs and barriers
Views in favour of the WTO
Helps countries economies grow and reduce poverty, LEDCs will earn more from exports
Views against the WTO
- LEDCs will import food, putting their own farmers out of work
- While LEDCs have imported more food, USA and EU haven’t