globalisation and food.

Globalisation and Food.

The first and probably most important area on the topic of globalisation and food is the issue of food policy and food security. It is believed that the vast inequalities between the rich and the poor of this world have strong links to way both developing and developed countries manage, or are forced to manage, their food resources. Two documents are of particular interest to the debate as to what is to blame for the increased inequality mentioned. A recent Oxfam report states that “the problem is not that international trade is inherently opposed to the needs and interests of the poor, but that the rules that govern it are rigged in favour of the rich” (Fowler, 2003:2). This point is validated by the fact that “when developing countries export to rich country markets, they face tariff barriers that are four times higher than those encountered by rich countries. Those barriers cost them $100bn a year – twice as much as they receive in aid” (Fowler,...