ASEAN INTEGRATED FOOD SECURITY (AIFS) （东盟一体化粮食安全)）.pdfVIP

ASEAN INTEGRATED FOOD SECURITY (AIFS) FRAMEWORK AND STRATEGIC PLAN OF ACTION ON FOOD SECURITY IN THE ASEAN REGION (SPA-FS) 2009-2013 BACKGROUND The sharp increase in international food prices in 2007/2008 has brought serious concern on possible socio-economic impacts of ASEAN Member States (AMSs). The ASEAN cooperation is highly expected as a means to address the problem, especially by strengthening existing ASEAN initiative/ measures. There are a number of factors attributable to the current state of the markets for food and agricultural products. On the supply side, the sharp rise of agricultural production cost-led by fuel oil and fertilizers, drop of yield and production resulting from irregular climate patterns, and higher cost of storing perishable goods, among others, contribute substantially to the rise of food prices. On the demand side, structural change of global demand for food commodities, competing demand for some agricultural commodities and land use for the emerging biofuels market coupled with agricultural market speculation contributed to the soaring food prices. In response, AMSs have tried to soften the impact particularly the most vulnerable part of the population i.e. export restrictions, price controls, price subsidies, and import facilitation. However, regardless of the options taken, there are winners and losers from state intervention in the market, either to be more effective at achieving their objectives of protecting consumers or assisting agricultural producers to benefit from rising prices. Along this line, there is an urgent need to develop a policy framework comprising a strategic pursuit of measures/ act