WASHINGTON, DC- In response to the growing global food crisis, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Dick Lugar (R-IN), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, have reintroduced the Global Food Security Act, S. 384. The bill seeks to improve the effectiveness and expand the reach of U.S. agriculture assistance to the developing world.
“The magnitude of the global food crisis cannot be overstated. The cost of not doing anything is unacceptable and could leave an additional 100 million more people hungry,” said Casey. “Last year’s sharp spike in commodity prices heralded the onset of the worst global food crisis in more than three decades. Although Congressional pressure helped secure additional U.S. funds to provide temporary assistance to those affected, it is clear that the United States must renew its commitment to help developing nations invest in their own agricultural sectors so that they can feed their own people. I am proud to once again stand by Senator Lugar as we introduce comprehensive legislation to address the structural flaws that trap almost one billion people in food insecurity.”
“Roughly one billion people in the world suffer from food insecurity – they are unable to consume sufficient calories for a healthy and active life,” said Senator Lugar. “Hunger is both a humanitarian and security challenge for the United States. The consequences of hunger are profound. Quality of life for affected families deteriorates as access to food decreases, affecting their productivity, and ultimately the economic growth of nations. Hungry children are unable to learn, and hungry adults are not productive. Hungry people are desperate people, and their hunger can breed instability in the most vulnerable regions of the world.”
The Global Food Security Act is a five-year authorization that seeks to provide solutions that will have the greatest effect.
First, it creates a White House Special Coordinator for Global Food Security put in charge of developing a food security strategy.
Second, the bill authorizes additional resources for agricultural productivity and rural development. Their plan draws from the experience of U.S. land grant colleges and the contributions they have made to U.S. agriculture. The bill creates a new program that would strengthen institutions of higher education in the areas of agriculture sciences, research and extension programs. The legislation also significantly expands U.S. assistance for agriculture, rural development and nutrition programs in developing nations.
Third, the bill improves the U.S. emergency response to food crises by creating a separate Emergency Food Assistance Fund that can make local and regional purchases of food, where appropriate. The legislation would provide USAID with the flexibility to respond to emergencies more quickly, without supplanting other food programs such as P.L. 480.
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