The rise in foodstuff prices

9.10.2007

ORAL QUESTION WITH DEBATE O-0065/07
pursuant to Rule 108 of the Rules of Procedure
by Joseph Daul, Lutz Goepel and Neil Parish, on behalf of the PPE-DE Group
to the Commission

Strongly rising world demand, the increase in food-related needs, especially in the emerging countries, the strong demand for source products for animal feedingstuffs, the rising influence of non-food uses of agricultural products, with biofuels taking pride of place, the worldwide decline in stocks, rising oil prices, speculation by some investors and the impact of climatic events in reducing harvests have all helped boost the phenomenon of the rise in the price of agricultural raw materials at the production stage.

 

These farm produce price rises are having an impact on food products. The first to be affected by these increases are stockbreeders, who are major users of cereals. The second victims are of course consumers, whose purchasing power is thus reduced.

 

The cereal price rise is likely to be limited as a result of the EU Council of Agricultural Ministers’ decision of 26 September, approved by Parliament, to provisionally lift the set-aside requirements for the 2008 marketing year, and by the Commission proposal to suspend import duties on cereals.

 

However, the rise in the price and milk and raw materials for animal feedingstuffs calls for further measures.

 

Is the Commission planning further measures to anticipate and counteract the rising trend in basic commodities and prevent these rises from having an impact on their consumers?

 

 

Tabled: 09.10.2007

Forwarded: 11.10.2007

Deadline for reply: 18.10.2007