[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 17 (Monday, May 5, 2008)]
[Pages 635-636]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 safe; they're resistant 
to drought and disease; and they hold the promise of producing more food 
for more people.

[[Page 636]]

    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.