    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [May 1, 2008]
    [Pages 616-617]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Emergency Food Aid Programs
    May 1, 2008

        In recent weeks, many have expressed concern about the significant
    increase in global food prices. And I share that concern. In some of the
    world's poorest nations, rising prices can mean the difference between
    getting a daily meal or going without food.
        To address this problem, 2 weeks ago, my administration announced
    that about $200 million in emergency food aid would be available through
    a program at the Agriculture Department called the Emerson Trust. But
    that's just the beginning of our efforts. I think more needs to be done,
    and so today I am asking Congress to provide an additional $770 million
    to support food aid and development programs. Together, this amounts to
    nearly $1 billion in new funds to bolster global food security. And with
    other security assistant programs already in place, we're now projecting
    to spend nearly--that we will spend nearly $5 billion in 2008 and 2009
    to fight global hunger.
        This funding will keep our existing emergency food aid programs
    robust. We have been the leader for providing food to those who are
    going without in the past, and we will continue to be the leader around
    the world. It will also allow us to fund agricultural development
    programs that help farmers in developing countries increase their
    productivity. And of course, this will help reduce the number of people
    who need emergency food aid in the first place.
        As America increases its food assistance, it's really important that
    we transform the way that food aid is delivered. In my State of the
    Union Address this year, I called on Congress to support a proposal to
    purchase up to nearly 25 percent of food assistance directly from
    farmers in the developing world. And the reason you do that is, in order
    to break the cycle of famine that we're having to deal with too often in
    the modern era, it's important to help build up local agriculture. I ask
    Congress to approve this measure as soon as possible. It's a commonsense
    way to help deal with food emergencies around the world.
        Now, other countries have a role to play as well. America is in the
    lead; we'll stay in the lead. And we expect others to participate along
    with us. We're working with our G-8 partners and other developed nations
    to secure commitments from their governments for additional food aid.
        We're also working toward the conclusion of a successful Doha
    agreement that will reduce and eliminate tariffs and other barriers as
    well as market-distorting subsidies for agricultural goods. And the
    reason why getting a Doha round done is important is it'll end up
    reducing the cost of food, importing food; it'll make it cheaper for
    consumers all around the world. In other words, we want to change the
    system to make it easier for people to get less expensive food.
        We're also urging countries that have instituted restrictions on
    agricultural exports to lift those restrictions. Some countries are
    preventing needed food from getting to market in the first place, and we
    call upon them to end those restrictions to help ease suffering for
    those who aren't getting food.
        We're also urging countries to remove barriers to advanced crops
    developed through biotechnology. These crops are

    [[Page 617]]

    safe, they're resistant to drought and disease, and they hold the
    promise of producing more food for more people.
        Now, here at home, we're working to ensure that our poorest citizens
    get the food they need. Since 2001, the administration, in working with
    Congress, has increased funding for nutrition assistance programs by 76
    percent. We've adjusted food stamp benefits annually to cover price
    increases at the checkout counter. And last month, the Agriculture
    Department made available an additional $150 million to respond to the
    food needs of those who depend on WIC, the Special Supplemental
    Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. With this new
    funding, we will have increased our support for WIC by 18.6 percent this
    year.
        The American people are generous people, and they're compassionate
    people. We believe in the timeless truth to whom much is given, much is
    expected. And so therefore, at home we will work to ensure that the
    neediest among us can cope with the rising food prices. And with the new
    international funding I'm announcing today, we're sending a clear
    message to the world that America will lead the fight against hunger for
    years to come.
        Thank you very much for your interest. God bless.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:13 p.m. in the Diplomatic Reception Room
    at the White House.