Food and Agriculture Organisation

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — International Development – in the House of Commons at 11:30 am on 11 June 2008.

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Photo of Douglas Alexander Douglas Alexander The Secretary of State for International Development 11:30, 11 June 2008

We often talk about consensus across the House on development issues; this would seem to be an example of an issue on which there is such consensus. We have been strongly encouraging the World Food Programme, in particular, to move towards local sourcing of food supplies instead of using its more traditional mechanism, which is to bring in wheat, often from America, or other supplies from around the globe. I do not think that the choice is between seeing an improvement in the functioning of the international agriculture market—that is why we want progress on the Doha round—and making sure that immediate emergency assistance is provided in the way that most supports the development of the local economies where food aid is provided.