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Wealth and Poverty Continue to Coexist in Europe - Diouf

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  • Wealth and Poverty Continue to Coexist in Europe - Diouf

    PR Newswire (press release)
    May 5 2004

    Wealth and Poverty Continue to Coexist in Europe - Diouf

    WASHINGTON, MONTPELIER, Vt. and ROME, May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Europe
    includes some of the most advanced countries in the world as well as
    others that have high levels of poverty, FAO Director-General
    Dr. Jacques Diouf said today in his address to the FAO Regional
    Conference for Europe.

    "The level of poverty in the region, based on a poverty line of
    less than $2 per day, stands at 21 percent and 5 percent of the
    population are affected by food insecurity. Such levels are lower
    than in most other parts of the world, but significant differences
    exist among the countries," Dr. Diouf said.

    "Special attention needs to be paid to the poorest countries of
    the region, especially those of southeast Europe and the Commonwealth
    of Independent States, to help resolve their problems of food
    insecurity and rural poverty," Dr. Diouf said.

    Factors fuelling poverty in the past 15 years include the
    difficulties associated with moving from a centrally planned economy
    to a market economy, declining production in agriculture and the
    agrifood sector and resulting unemployment. In the Balkans, the
    situation has been further exacerbated by conflict, he added.

    The number of undernourished people in the countries in transition
    grew from 25 to 34 million between 1993-1995 and 1999-2001, according
    to FAO's State of Food Insecurity in the World 2003. Nearly all of
    the increases in undernourishment took place in the Commonwealth of
    Independent States, where the number of hungry people rose from 20.6
    to 28.8 million.


    Agricultural production Agricultural production in the region as a
    whole fell by about 0.5 percent per year between 1998 and 2003.
    Agriculture accounted for 12 percent of the region's gross domestic
    product in 2001.

    Agricultural exports represented 7.4 percent of total exports in
    2002, for a value of $211 billion, against agricultural imports of
    $222 billion. The 25 countries of the European Union account for more
    than 90 percent of these figures.

    The year 2003 was unfortunately not a good year for agriculture in
    most countries in the region, Dr. Diouf said. Drought, frost,
    flooding and other problems, such as locust and rodent infestation,
    led to a sharp decline in agricultural production, especially in
    Armenia, Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine.

    "During the last biennium, six countries of the Balkans and
    Commonwealth of Independent States received emergency assistance from
    FAO to deal with crises in their agricultural sectors, for a total of
    some US$15 million," he added.

    Despite these problems, Dr. Diouf said that he was confident that
    a determined Europe can meet the challenges of poverty and food
    insecurity.

    Noting that external aid to agricultural development fell from $27
    billion to as low as $10 billion during the 1990s, Dr. Diouf called on
    countries to double external aid to agriculture. He said investment
    in agriculture should also be increased in order to achieve progress
    in reducing undernourishment.

    He underlined that a fair trading policy is essential for rural
    development and food security.


    Agricultural technology The transfer and adoption of appropriate
    technology is essential for the sustainable intensification of
    agricultural systems, Dr. Diouf added.

    Very important are the promotion of exchanges, the existence of
    regional and global partnerships and the strengthening of linkages
    between public and private research, extension, education and
    communication institutions.

    The Regional Conference for Europe will also discuss the
    improvement of food safety.

    "Improving the safety and quality of food products remains a key
    objective of governments, private sector and civil society
    organizations of all the countries of the region. Such improvement
    will help safeguard public health, meet consumer expectations and
    encourage local and international trade," Dr Diouf said.
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