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 TRADE TOPICS
 Agriculture |  China | Corporate Sustainability | Import  | Poverty |  Security |  TPA/Fast Track

Balancing Trade: Open Markets and Supermarkets
WCIT Conference hosted by Senator Patty Murray
and Senator Maria Cantwell

July 3, 2001
Bell Harbor Conference Center Seattle, WA. 
8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m

Panel Discussion 1:
"Food in the Balance:  Are Modern Agricultural Practices an Answer to World Hunger?"  

Barry Mitzman, of Shepardson Stern Kaminsky moderated both panels.  The format for panel 1 and panel 2 was the same:  an initial question from the moderator, brief response by each panelist followed by open discussion based on questions from the floor.

Mitzman asked the first panel what the single most important factor was in resolving world hunger.  He explained that while world hunger is a complex and multifaceted problem calling for a variety of solutions, his intent in initiating the panel discussion was to have each panelist briefly discuss the single most important solution:

R. James Cook, research scientist at Washington State University said a healthy, robust science was most essential.  Applied agricultural research would help domestic productivity and help other countries.  “Food insecure” countries spend an average of 0.5% of the value of their crops on agricultural research, while “secure” countries spend an average of 2%.  Of concern to Cook was that priorities in government research are shifting from food to medicine. 

Dr. Joe Riverson of World Vision said the key lies in sustainable agricultural systems in the developing countries.  Declining fertility of soil is a primary cause of hunger and agro-ecological health is becoming increasingly critical.  He considered it imperative to train subsistence farmers in new techniques and appropriate technologies that are affordable, usable and safe.  That would both make them self-sufficient and improve food productivity. 

Michelle Ruetschle of the Rural Development Institute said land reform is the most immediate issue.  She felt it was critical to support existing family farms through secure tenure rights.  Of equal importance were access to credit and basic technologies.  Without the security of land rights people working the land would have little incentive or support in their agricultural efforts. 

Lynn Turk of the National Center for APEC said a stable and equitable global food trade infrastructure will be required to augment domestic production.  Population growth and greater affluence will drive the demand for more food and better diets.  A flexible trading regime that ensures food safety yet allows food to be transported around the globe will help countries develop their own areas of competitive advantage and increase world productivity and affluence.  He strongly agreed with Senator Murray that to food needs to be removed from the sanctions system. 

Clark Williams-Derry of Northwest Environment Watch said the root cause of hunger is not food supply but food distribution.  A billion people are outside the global economy, are hungry and living in poverty.  About 4/5 of the world’s poor live in rural areas.  The status of women is an essential element in eliminating hunger.  Investments in the education and health of girls and women have been shown to lower the birth rate, improve longevity and increase prosperity.

After a networking break participants reconvened for the second panel discussion.

LINK TO PANEL DISCUSSION 2