What kind of global institutional framework could help ensure food security?
An IMF for food? Fischler: For the time being this is an open question, but I think whether we go for a specific organisation to deal with these problems or whether we enlarge the portfolio of FAO: this is more a question of practical adjustment. There is no question of principle. More important is the fact that global cooperation is more and more needed. And without it, we will face major problems. How does trade management affect food security? Atkin: What we saw as a reaction to the crisis last year, was that some countries simply stopped exporting. This had a very negative impact. It depressed prices in that country, while also increasing prices in other places. Free trade is a really important factor in avoiding food crises. Fischler: For me, it is absolutely clear that the introduction of, for example, export taxes or the limitation of imports or increasing tariffs and all these things mean managed trade. All these things are counter-productive, and will not ease the situation bu
