Sargent calls for dynamic approach to world hunger at Rome event

AN end to a “business as usual” approach to fighting world hunger was sought by Ireland at the UN World Food Summit in Rome yesterday.

Heads of states, prime ministers and agriculture ministers from across the globe are meeting in the Italian capital to consider actions to combat the increasing levels of hunger worldwide.

The leaders agreed a strategy to help the world’s one billion starving people by increasing aid to farmers in developing countries, but they failed to pledge the specific funds the UN had hoped they would.

Minister of State Trevor Sargent told the summit countries must commit to a comprehensive global partnership, with a renewed approach to end hunger for good. World hunger is increasing and one person in every six is ‘food insecure’.

“Greater resources must be directed towards smallholder farmers and in particular towards women farmers. Ireland views agricultural production and nutrition as major priorities for development aid programmes,” he said.

Mr Sargent said achieving food security for all, while also dealing decisively with climate change, is the great twin-challenge facing everyone.

Meanwhile, the umbrella bodies for European farmers and agri co-ops, Copa-Cogeca, said farmers have a vital role in providing safe and secure food supplies to feed the growing world population.

Secretary-general Pekka Pesonen said investment in agriculture across the world must be stepped up to help combat hunger and poverty.

Sufficient funds must be made available to fund a strong Common Agricultural Policy to meet the challenges of growing world food demand as well as tackling climate change.

“Adequate funds are vital to provide the necessary investment in agriculture and to prevent a further mass exodus from the rural areas of the EU,” he said.

EU Farm Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel said it was encouraging that key donor countries have agreed this year to find ways of allocating $20bn to agriculture over the next three years.

“It’s not just the amount spent that’s important; how it’s spent is just as important,” she said.