Biotech Updates

Ministerial Action Plan on Food Price and Volatility

July 15, 2011

The Action Plan on Food Price Volatility and Agriculture was released during the G20 Agriculture Ministers Meeting in Paris, France on June 23, 2011. It forwarded several recommendations which will be submitted to government leaders for discussion in a Summit to be held in November 2011.

Among the objectives of the Action Plan is to improve agricultural production and productivity in order to respond to a growing demand for agricultural commodities. It commits to a broad scope of actions to boost agricultural growth particularly with smallholders in developing countries.

Agricultural research innovation and support will also be strengthened. The Plan recommended the promotion of "technology transfers, knowledge sharing, and capacity building through North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation." In particular, it will seek to foster innovation in plant breeding, by strengthening internationally agreed legal mechanisms for plant varieties.

Download a copy of the Action Plan at http://agriculture.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/2011-06-23_-_Action_Plan_-_VFinale.pdf.