Potential causes and health effects of rising global food prices
BMJ 2009; 339 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.b2403 (Published 13 July 2009) Cite this as: BMJ 2009;339:b2403
All rapid responses
Why did we start believing green slogans without bothering
to check that the advice they give actually works?
There is no good reason why we have to grow all our food
locally, but the green movement is obsessed with food miles.
Even if we accept that the goal should be minimizing carbon
emissions, growing food locally is not the right answer for
all countries. What if some countries agricultural systems
are much more efficient (whether counted by carbon emissions
or by some other metric) than others? It makes sense to let
the efficient farmers grow the food and to move it around to
those who want to eat it. Africa, for example, could provide
much more food to europe making africans wealthier, reducing
carbon emissions and lowering food prices. We don't do this
because Europe chooses to subsidize more expensive local
farmers not for reasons of climate virtue but because of the
political systems that built the European Union.
Equally, we should not assume that the green preference for
local markets over supermarkets is based on anything other
than the fact that supermarkets are an easy target (all big
corporates are greedy and evil, aren't they?) Local markets
are quite capable of offering lower variety, lower quality
food with higher levels of waste than big supermarkets.
Green slogans exist not because people have made careful and
considered analysis of the impact of alternatives, but to
distract debate away from such analysis. we should ignore
them in serious debate unless they are presented alongside
some actual analysis.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
Sir,
The article by Lock et al (1) and the accompanying leader by Lobstein
(2) both call for transparency in the international trading of food. They
look to global solutions for the daunting task of feeding the world’s
exponentially increasing population at a time of climatic uncertainty.
However, just as the Western World surely has a moral responsibility
to respond to global warming, we must also look to initiatives closer to
home to address the impending food crisis.
If we are to have a sustainable food source in the future,
government, including local government, must act now to increase the
proportion of domestically produced food, currently only 60%(3), whilst
reducing our dependence on oil.
The recent report by the Community and Local Government Select
Committee(4) makes clear just how important is the role of the traditional
local market in the UK. Bigger, better, and more local markets will offer
a genuine alternative to the powerful supermarkets where we currently buy
nearly 90% of our food(3), and who are principal purveyors of processed
food, false economy, food waste and who depend on unsustainable
distribution methods.
To support and develop traditional markets in our towns and cities
will be to back domestic farming, reduce food miles and dependence on oil
based fertilisers and promote the production of vegetable protein, all
steps towards a more secure and healthier food supply.
1. Lock K, Stuckler D, Charlesworth K, Mckee M Potential causes and
health effects of rising global food prices. BMJ 2009;339:b2403 (1 Aug.)
2. Lobstein T Eating healthily and rising food prices. BMJ 2009;
339: b2527
(1 Aug.)
3. The Times 11/08/09 p17
4. Communities and Local Government Committee. Market Failure? : Can
the traditional market survive?
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmcomloc/308/...
July 2009
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
Subsidies that allow the price of meat to be kept low have distorted
the price structure of foods. These subsidies have helped create an
agricultural system focused on supplying cheap meat for the wealthy (1).
Elimination of the current system of subsidies, and major policy change,
is needed to bring back balance to our agricultural system.
I agree that rising meat consumption is only one causal contributor
to the complex problem of rising food prices. However, it is important to
highlight that producing meat for food has other negative public health
implications -for health, the environment, global warming, and water and
energy supplies.
Between 15%- 23% of the world’s water goes to livestock use and
livestock contribute almost a fifth of total greenhouse gases (1). Even
more worrying, is the damaging contribution of livestock production to
water pollution, soil erosion and pesticide use. Also, much more energy is
required to produce meat as a foodsource than grains. Lastly, from a
health viewpoint, a high-meat diet increases the risk of several chronic
diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and some cancers
(2).
Although there is a vital need to address this global concern at a
policy level, we need to look at our own individual and community food
consumption patterns, and address the issue on a personal, and practice
level, as well.
What can we as individual practitioners, do? Primarily, we can advise
people to consume less meat (especially processed meat) in order to help
lower the risk of chronic diseases. Indirectly, reducing the demand for
meat will help stem rising food prices. We don’t have to preach vegetarian
diets. However, it makes sense, not just for health improvement, but also
for humanitarian and environmental reasons, to redouble our efforts to
advocate meat in moderation.
Popkin, B. Reducing Meat Consumption has Multiple Benefits for the
World’s Health, Archives Internal Medicine 2009; 169(6):543-545
Walker, P; Rhubart-Berg, P; McKenzie, S; Kelling, K; Lawrence, R,S.
Public Health Implications of Meat Production and Consumption, Public
Health Nutrition 2005; 8(4):348-56
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
Food Economy
The current economic crisis makes it difficult for many people to afford a
balanced and nutritious diet. Here are some simple tips on food economy. First,
eliminate all junk food and addictive substances, both of which are very
expensive. Second, stop eating out, and learn to cook at home. Third, compare
the cost and quality of produce at supermarkets, farmers' markets, and
cooperatives. Try to meet local farmers, because they can provide you with
fresh, inexpensive produce and advice about home gardens and composting. If
you invest in good food, you will be rewarded with good health.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests