Food crisis could lead to growing instability

Australia's worst floods in decades shut down a key grains port, while the United States
signalled further tightening of domestic and global supplies at a time when food prices have surged to record high levels.

A report by the U.N. food agency last week showed world food prices hit a record high in December, and warned that key grains prices could rise further.
In recent weeks, food riots have broken out in places such as Algeria, Tunisia, India, China, Indonesia, and Bangladesh.

“The prospect of famine in many parts of the world is very realistic,” says Timothy Fischer, AC, the Australian Ambassador to the Holy See.
He says he thought about the food security during Pope Benedict’s discourse to the diplomats accredited to the Holy See earlier this week.

He told Vatican Radio that “deep poverty engendered by the shortage of food in so many parts of the world today – which looks like its getting a whole lot worse – that will represent a threat to religious freedom, to economic well-being, to political stability in the world. To peace in the world.”

Listen to the full interview by Charles Collins with Ambassador Fischer: