geopolitics + improving food security Flashcards
what is the agenda on food geopolitics?
economic recessions, food supply shocks, civil unrest + food riots eg in Egypt, Somalia + Tunisia they worry might not be enough food to feed growing population
if the ‘food problem’ is not due to the scarcity of food, what is it down to?
the distribution of food resources + access to markets, technology, commercial opportunities, land + water
who are the key players in the global food system?
- national govt
- international organisations eg WTO
- profit making organisations eg agribusinesses, TNCs + food retailers
- non governmental organisations (NGOs) eg World Fair Trade Organisation
what are the opportunities between countries to ensure food security?
trading policies: agriculture accounts for more than 1/3 of export earnings in 50 developing countries
BUT export subsidies + tariffs mean that some poor countries cannot keep up with international markets. increase in demand such fruits, veg, meats means increased in quality checks thus creating more barriers for EDCs.
what difference types of trade agreements exist?
- trading bloc: agreement between a no. of countries to promote free trade among its members, tariffs imposed on non member states eg EU
- multinational agreement: several countries engage in a trading relationship with a third party eg ACP given free trade access to EU markets
- bilateral trade agreement: a trade agreement between two political entities that mutual benefits + is legally binding eg Sainisburys trade agreement with St Lucia for fair trade bananas
what is the main role of WTO?
to provide a forum for govts to negotiate trade agreements + as an organisation supporting free trade, to persuade countries to abolish import tariffs + other barriers + to settle trade disputes
where is WTO based + how many members?
Geneve, Switzerland + 161
in LIDCS, where trade agreements have failed what can they implement to help?
various food aid + food provision schemes eg bilateral agreements between government
types of food aid?
- project food aid
- programme food aid
- emergency or relief food aid
what are criticisms of food aid?
- food aid dependency could be the LT outcome of food aid for recipient countries.
- large quantities of food aid can swamp local markets + drive down prices, reducing the income of indigenous farmers
positives of food aid?
- savings lives in emergency situations eg conflict in Syria + devastating earthquake in Nepal
- if manage appropriately can save lives, protect livelihoods + promote recovery
what is the impact of unfair trade on farmers in LIDCs?
- Acs protect farmers with subsidies thus making their exports cheap
- prices for crops are unstable due to disease + climate
- cash crops for export use the best land in LIDCs leaving marginal land for subsistence farmers
what key players influence the global food system?
agribusinesses - large-scale farming, criticism through the use of agrochemicals + horn growth promoters, also profit maximisation
TNCs - v large companies w factories + offices in more than one country, specialise in processing + distribution eg Kraft
Food retailers - dominance eg Latin America 60% of food retailing is controlled by supermarkets eg Carrefour, Tesco. local traders are unable to compete
Fair trade organisations - exists to promote fair trade + greater equality in international trade - 586 producer organisations in more than 58 countries
approaches to increasing food security
short term relief: food aid eg WFP and Syria
long term system redesign + capacity building: the ability of communities, countries + global institution to build a resilient food system. can be achieved by economic development, access to fair trade agreements, food safety etc
techniques for improving food security:
large-scale technology: GM crops, development of water conservation + new irrigation schemes
small-scale: self help schemes eg use of simple tools, rainwater harvesting + sackgardening
