Two conflicting stories today - The Melbourne Age seems to suggest help
The surge in world food prices is accomplishing what seven years of trade talks haven't: knocking down import barriers.The Doha round of global trade negotiations has been stalled since 2001 because developing nations have refused to lower import tariffs that protect their farmers and rich countries won't give up farm-price supports. Now, import duties are being slashed from Brazil to Burkina Faso in response to prices that the World Bank says have risen 83% the past three years; subsidies in the US and Europe are falling.
But this report from Reuters (and the wonderfully named Missy Ryan) suggests hindrance
A new world trade deal, more than six years in the making, finally appears to be within reach, but it may not ease raging global food costs that have protesters pouring into the streets from Egypt to Haiti.On the contrary, many experts expect a new global pact would actually lift food prices slightly, at least at first.
