Socialist Group in European Parliament Links Financial Crisis to Soaring Food Prices
The Socialist Group in the European Parliament has highlighted the crucial role of financial markets in stimulating the hyperinflation of global food prices and called for urgent action by regulatory authorities. The group tabled three amendments to a motion on EU action to deal with food price inflation.
"The food crisis is closely linked to the financial crisis", said Hannes Swoboda, vice-president of the Group. "It is outrageous that some banks are inviting their clients to speculate on rising food prices. One of our amendments calls for a Europe-wide ban on such speculation. We also want the European Commission to examine the powers of national supervisory bodies to ensure that they can guarantee stable and secure markets and that speculation does not violate the right to food."
More information and a link to the text of the motion are available here.