Food:Impact of rising prices-3:Some Thoughts
Cartoons can show us when an issue becomes a real problem.
This further collection of international cartoon comments on Food Prices made Adam think about the impact of the government’s Emissions Scheme and what it might achieve!
Hollister Freelance – April 29, 2008
When Food Rationing Hits the USA
From the UK’s Daily Express – 23 April 2008
Vikram Nandwani – 26 April 2008 an Indian cartoonist focusing on India
The accompanying caption:-
A sharp rise in food prices has developed into a global crisis, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Friday. Ban urged leaders of the international community to sit down together on an “urgent basis” to discuss how to improve economic distribution systems and promote the production of agricultural products. – The Associated Press, 25 April 08
Given the number of cartoons appearing on this subject in various media around the world, including tabloids, political journals it is clear that Food Prices are very much in the collective public consciousness around the globe. Indeed, we may well have reached the tipping point.
We have seen food riots in several countries, some US stores are rationing purchases of items such as rice.
In New Zealand cheese is becoming a luxury. Coca Cola is cheaper than milk.
As one commentator noted:-
Historically, food shortages — even in developed countries, such as England — have sparked riots. In France and Russia, shortages of food led not only to riots but also to insurrection and, ultimately, to political revolution. Traditionally, food-based insurrection reaches it zenith on the backs of other political ills; the shortage of food often is the final straw that breaks the back of social order.
Whilst all this is happening, the government presses ever onward with nanny state legislation such as the Public Health Bill – a new attack on the rights of the individual.
David Parker becomes ever more detached from reality with his Emissions Trading scheme which appears to be designed to destroy the economy. If he is successful how will the government meet the welfare bill let alone fund the public services such as health and welfare.
Why is this regime so besotted with being the only country to include agriculture in it’s emissions policy?
Why seek to make food ever more unaffordable?
Logically the response would be for those farmers who export to re-locate their production elsewhere. As will much of the rest of our industry. We can then import virtually everything, including our food as it will be too expensive to produce locally. Truly, New Zealand will then be the Zimbabwe of the South Pacific.
