Vememan Says U.S. Committed to End Hunger

June 11, 2002

Speaking before heads of state and other officials from more than 180 nations at the World Food Summit: Five Years Later, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to ending global hunger and outlined priorities and an action agenda.

"Widespread hunger and malnutrition exact an enormous cost in terms of human suffering and lost potential," Veneman said. "All members of the global community--working individually and in partnership--must significantly accelerate and more effectively focus our efforts."

To help meet the hunger-reduction goals set in 1996, Veneman said that the United States will focus on three priorities, with specific initiatives to boost agricultural productivity in the developing world, end famine, and alleviate severe vitamin and mineral deficiencies. She invited other countries to join us in these efforts. "Increasing agricultural productivity is a way to boost both food availability and access in developing countries," she said. "Accomplishing this will require, above all, that countries adopt market-based policies that help stimulate, rather than hold back, their farming sectors."

Pointing to the new Compact for Development and the pledge of additional funding for development announced by President Bush in March, Veneman said that the United States will build upon its long tradition of supporting programs to improve domestic and international food security.

She emphasized the President's message that funds will be used in partnership with countries that rule justly, invest in their people and promote economic freedom. Veneman said that the United States is the world's largest food aid donor, the leading donor responding to the food crisis now facing southern Africa and the largest contributor to multilateral lending banks. She noted especially the new global school feeding program now providing school meals to 9 million children in 38 countries.

To help reduce the suffering of people in southern Africa who have been devastated by severe drought conditions, the Secretary announced the release of 275,000 metric tons of wheat to be exchanged for an equal value of corn, beans, and vegetable oil through the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust.

America also imports more than $450 billion in products from developing countries each year-more than eight times the amount these countries receive in global aid. Noting that trade plays a central role in world food security, Veneman said an open trading system should be the goal, and the World Trade Organization negotiations on agriculture are the starting point.

"Open markets and free exchange will do a far better job of getting food to people if governments do not place unnecessary barriers on the trading system," she said. "We will work closely with others to ensure that the trading system plays the fullest possible role in enhancing food security for the world's people."

For a complete copy of Secretary Veneman's remarks, aid to South Africa, or more information about the World Food Summit, visit USDA's web site at www.usda.gov. Veneman also announced that USDA will host a ministerial-level International Conference on Agricultural Science and Technology early next year, inviting ministers from around the world to attend.

"Everyone benefits as more countries understand and share the benefits of scientific and technological innovation in agriculture," Veneman said. "This conference will focus on the needs of developing countries in adopting new technologies and the role of partnerships in improving access to technologies."

The conference agenda will cover access to technologies, new scientific research, the relationship between regulatory practices and innovation, and the creation of partnerships to help developing countries adopt new technologies to increase agricultural productivity. Dates and location for the conference have not yet been determined.