EU can help food security in Haiti

10.30.00am GMT Fri 29th Jan 2010

Commenting on the challenges faced by Haiti in recovering from the recent earthquake, London Liberal Democrat MEP Sarah Ludford said:

"The European Union can doubly assist the people of Haiti in respect of food supplies, not only through funding for food provision but also by local purchases as far as possible to encourage agricultural development in the country."

"Haitian farmers are in desperate need of support, with four out of five unable to satisfy their families' basic needs. So the EU should try to boost local food production by buying at a fair market price and helping to reduce the country's dependence on agricultural imports."

"EU-funded rural projects must also take into account the issue of land rights, and consult properly with local people and knowledgeable organisations as well as farmers. We need to lay the basis for a truly sustainable future in Haiti, one in which a flourishing local farming sector plays a central role."

ENDS