International   

First world to blame: China

BEIJING: The energy strategies of developed countries, rather than growing demand from developing countries such as China and India, were to blame for the current global grain crisis, said a Chinese agriculture official.

“Population growth and higher living standards in China and India were not the roots of the global crisis,” said Vice Agricultural Minister Niu Dun.

“Instead, developed countries should bear the main responsibility.”

European countries and the American citizens consumed a large quantity of grains and other crops, such as corn and rape, by promoting bio-fuels.

This practice hurt the environment and affected grain production, which had already been hit by price rises of inputs such as diesel fuel amid world energy shortages, said Mr. Niu. — Xinhua

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

World’s longest sea bridge opens in China
Echoes of rice crisis at May Day rallies
Labour on edge over local elections
44 LTTE cadres killed in clashes
Banner proved costly: White House
First world to blame: China
Charge filed against Thaksin
We have results, says Minister
Some keyboards revealed filthy
Global warming lull likely
Drug kingpin shot dead
A fascist past rekindled
‘March of the Living’ in memory of Holocaust victims

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu