Food

We may be talking about disaster pending, when the discussion turns to Agriculture. The Problem comes from the Weather: too much Rain in China and the United States, Drought in Australia and the Philippines, a descending Sahara, and still unexplored Cool weather in Eastern Europe. Great Plans for ethanol from Food Crops have wiped out Food Stock Reserves, while the Agricultural Needs of Fertilizer, Fuel, Herbicide, and Pesticides are still rising in Price faster than the rapidly increasing Food prices. Another unnoted area consists of the quick Rise in Wages within the developed Agricultural sectors, simply to provide Workers with the ability to travel under the new Gas prices for Work. All the problems of the greater economy are concentrating on the Agricultural sector with the greatest impact. Welfare Costs are bound to explode with a sharp reduction of Food Products to distribute. I would seriously advise Homeowners to tear up lawn for Gardens this Year, simply to avoid extreme Food prices if nothing else.

This Situation falls within the realm of idiocy, as S. Korea faces the possible worst placement within the World Food battles. I do not possess the hard data on the matter, but expect that South Korea can provision only about One-Quarter of their Food needs. The rest must come from Import sources. Rice is at an all-time High price if only in nominal terms, and the major Rice Exporters are already showing shortfalls. Argentina still has restrictions of Beef exports, and Australian and New Zealand Stock herds have been reduced. Protein production is down throughout Europe, and Canada has more Mad-Cow threatened Beef than anywhere but Great Britain. Central America is hard-pressed to process their own Protein needs. S. Korea has no other qualified Protein supplier at the Present than the United States. The Protesters should realize that they are much closer to the Starvation Line than is the United States, and that this disruption of Trade agreements will only make the Price of American Beef higher.

This Post by Dani Rodrik enjoys little place in my Post, except it should be Read, and defines where globalization anxiety should be placed. Beef Imports, and Food Imports in general, lack a worldwide Rating system which is commonly enforced. Disease cultures travel rapidly when poor Sanitary practice is utilized. What amazes me is the World’s mistrust of American sanitary practice in the production of Food. What further disturbs me is the American acceptance of Food Products from some of the least sanitary Food producers in the World. I know much of the Cause for both activities derive from Republican anger against Regulation of any stripe, and Business pursuit of Profits in the face of any Danger. The best construction of a Reputation remains an adherence to operating according to your own sound Rules. lgl