Paris is trying to convince cereal-producing countries to act collectively

Wheat on a farm in Pruille-Le-Chetif, western France, Friday March 18, 2022. AP - Francois Mori

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Faced with soaring grain prices caused by the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, France launched the idea of ​​an initiative for food security in the most vulnerable countries at the G7 summit in Brussels last week. , to avoid a world food crisis similar to that of 2008. It is now a question of Paris convincing the States which weigh on the international market of cereals, not to go it alone.

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With Farm (for "

Food and Agricultural Resilience Mission

"), the Europeans intend to fight against speculation on international markets in the midst of soaring prices, and in particular against the opacity of world stocks, the release of which would make it possible to meet the needs . 

France is trying to bring all the major grain consuming and producing countries around the table to avoid a massive food crisis.

The priority?

Do not add additional tensions to a grain market already very disturbed by the conflict in Ukraine.

Avoid food withdrawal 

It is a question of convincing the States not to store too much, not to limit their exports – that is what had caused the 2008 crisis, but on the contrary, when they can, to produce more and to direct this additional supply to the countries that will need it most, through calls for tenders or with aid from the World Food Programme.

The United States, Germany, Italy, the Council of the European Union, the presidency of the African Union, the United Kingdom, Japan have come on board the coalition proposed by France.

But the Elysée confides that FARM will produce its full effects only if India and China, which have enormous stocks of cereals, attach themselves to the initiative.

The next meetings of the FAO and the general assemblies of the World Bank and the IMF, in the coming weeks, will be a good test.

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 To read also: FAO and the World Bank in South Sudan to revive agriculture there

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