Told you so!

"Alistair Darling has demanded an urgent review of international
biofuel programmes as part of a plan to tackle the world's mounting
food crisis. The Chancellor said he had asked the World Bank to
produce an analysis - for June's G7 meeting of global leaders - on the
impact of green policies, including America and Europe's biofuel
programmes, on global food shortages.

'This is an urgent problem,' said Darling, who was speaking in
Washington at a meeting of G7 leaders. 'People across the world will
say, "Why didn't you see this coming?" when it is staring us in the
face. We have got to take action.'

He added: 'It would be a profound mistake if we get into a situation
where we are growing corn that is essential for feeding people and
converting it into fuel. That is not sustainable.'

The move to re-examine links between food shortages and global biofuel
policies comes as riots have gripped many of the world's poorest
nations. Demonstrators have protested, with increasing violence, about
the soaring prices of wheat, rice, soya and other staples..."

More:

Doug wrote:

When did anyone disagree?

On 13 Apr, 07:32, Doug riseup.net> wrote:

Of course, there is another way of looking at this: Why can't
individual countries take responsibility to make sure they can feed
their own populace before setting aside farm land or food for other
uses? Why should one country's failure to take care of it's own basic
needs impact on another country's industry?

conkersack@googlemail.com wrote:

Because some countries simply don't have enough land space to produce enough
food to feed their populations. The UK is one such country and has been for
many years. Some other countries create a great deal of income by producing
what other countries need. Some mainly do farming and some industry.

On 13 Apr, 12:07, "Brimstone" yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

The UK can afford to import food, but why can't countries that need
food but don't produce enough to feed themselves sort themselves out
first? I don't swallow all this 'market forces' flannel either, that's
just a convenient excuse for despots to fleece their own country for
money.

Doug wrote:

conkersack@googlemail.com wrote:

What do you mean by "sort themselves out"?

On 13 Apr, 13:02, "Brimstone" yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

Bring in some sort of action to ensure they are able to produce enough
food for themselves.

conkersack@googlemail.com wrote:

Do you read newspapers or gather news from TV, Radio or websites?

On Sun, 13 Apr 2008 12:07:27 +0100, "Brimstone"
yahoo.co.uk> wrote: