[31 October 2011] GENEVA – “The G20 made an important statement of intent by placing food security at the top of its agenda. But agreeing a food security action plan without addressing biofuels and speculation would be like running a bath without putting in the plug. All of the good ideas simply drain away,” warned Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food.

[24 October 2011] NEW YORK – “For too long farmers have been forced to eke out a living from subsistence agriculture or, once they've fallen in debt, to cede their land and labour to work in exploitative conditions on plantations. Our failure to help small-scale farmers to access markets – and to live decently from farming – is a key cause of hunger,” warned Olivier De Schutter, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food.