European Agriculture Polices Need Overhaul in Light of Food Price Shock

The recently released OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook for 2010-2019 reports positive projections for food production growth rates for the USA, Canada, Australia, China, India, Russia and Latin America. Growth rates ranged from 15 to 40% which is in contrast to the less than 4% rate projected for Europe. With Europe's population growth, consumption demand would only be met with imports and the current strategy of expanding crop land in the developing world. This is expected to increase commodity prices, disrupt supply, and would destroy rainforests and other natural habitats.

Director General of the Environmental Crop Protection Association Friedhelm Schmider in a press release commented that, "Europe should be looking to its own policies, regulations and incentives to protect Europeans from high food prices. The key will be to promote productive, efficient agriculture here in Europe and reduce dependency on imports for crops that can be grown here. This is true food security." He further added that this can only be achieved "through wise use of the innovative technology available and more agricultural research and innovation."

The original article can be seen at http://www.ecpa.eu/news-item/food/01-07-2011/519/european-agriculture-policies-need-overhaul-light-food-price-shock.