Presidential Candidates and Food Prices

We've been hearing a lot from Presidential candidates on rising gas prices. But what about rising food prices? What is their plan to address increasing volatility in U.S. agriculture markets? And how will the candidates reform trade and aid policies to help countries around the world facing food shortages get the immediate help they need, as well as strengthen their own food production systems?

In a new commentary titled "Will the Food Crisis Finally Get the Attention of Presidential Candidates?" IATP's Alexandra Spieldoch and Dennis Olson offer some advice for the next Administration:

"Some have called for more laissez-faire policies that would support expanded trade as a response to the current food crisis. This approach is a dangerous one, particularly for net-food importing countries that lack food reserves and production capacity, making them the most vulnerable to price fluctuations that we are experiencing today."

Last month, IATP's Anne Laure Constantin outlined additional concrete steps to address the food crisis at the international level. Look for more from IATP on the food crisis in the coming weeks.