CONTEMPORARY ISSUES RELATED TO FOOD

Hunger The Food and Agriculture branch of the United Nations estimates that over 800 million people in the world from undernourishment. That translates to 13% of the entire world population being hungry. Most of these people are found in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. 

Hunger Lack of available food is not the reason for this dilemma. If all available food could be distributed evenly, there would be enough food to feed all 6 billion people on Earth. Food shortages result from both physical and human factors: Physical factors include adverse weather conditions and natural disasters. Human factors include poor transportation facilities in many countries, civil unrest, and international pricing crisis.

Aquaculture Aquaculture is the cultivation and harvesting (farming) of finfish, shellfish and aquatic plants. Saltwater and freshwater locations. Fish are bred for maximum size and rate of growth. E.g. Oysters are grown so the shell is more appealing and can be used as a dish or cup. Salmon that are gown in fish farms are fed specific types of food that will encourage quick growth. 

Aquaculture Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Wild fishing is not as reliable since fish stocks have been depleted. Aquaculture is an appealing alternative. Fish can often be grown in areas with low employment rates and lower standards of living. Aquaculture provides jobs and a food source that contains a high amount of vitamins and minerals. Have you been in a supermarket and noticed a sign encouraging shoppers to buy Basa fillets? Any idea what they are or come from? "Google" Basa fillets to find out.

The Changing Landscape The number of farms in Canada has declined from 340,000 farms in 1971 to 276,000 in 1996. Fewer people are farming the same amount of land. Farm sizes have increased by 22% over the same time period. Most of these are family farms. The growing trend is for farms to be registered as a partnership or family corporation which separates the financial record keeping of the farm and the family.  Many of the farm operators live in a nearby town or city and drive to their place of work. As a result, fewer people are living in rural Canada.  Statistics Canada reports that there is little change in the management profile of farms. Two- thirds of the farms in Canada are operated by men as the sole operator. Only 5% of the farms were run solely by women and the remaining 30% were operated by male-female teams.

Benefits of GMOs Increased nutritional value of staple foods: Genes are being inserted into rice to make it produce vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency is a leading cause of blindness and a factor in many child deaths. Reduced environmental impact: Scientists are developing trees that require fewer harsh chemicals when used to make pulp and paper. Increased yield: A modified gene that controls the growth hormones in tilapia, a farmed fish, increasing production and availability of fish in local diets. Increased nutrient absorption by livestock: GMO animal feeds will reduce the phosphorus in animal waste, which pollutes groundwater. Increased hardiness: Scientists are working to produce crops that are drought-resistant or salt- tolerant.

Risks of GMOs Inadequate controls: Some GMO crops intended only for animal consumption have been found in human food products. Transfer of allergens: Allergens can be transferred by accident from an existing crop into the target crop. Unpredictability: Genetically modified crops may have unforeseen effects on farming systems. E.g. may take more resources from the soil or use more water than normal crops. Undesirable gene movement: Genes introduced artificially may cross into an unintended species. E.g. resistance to herbicide could spread from a GM crop into weeds, thus making the weeds herbicide-resistant. Environmental hazards: GM fish could change wild fish populations if they escape. Fish that have been genetically modified to eat more and grow faster might invade new territories and displace native fish

Fair Trade Many products we purchase are made by workers receiving extremely low wages. 50 years ago, international aid organizations and farmers in Africa and Asia began Fair Trade.  The Fair Trade system is designed on the following goals for the farmers and workers in developing countries: Fair compensation for their products and labour Sustainable environmental practices Improved social services Investment in local economic infrastructure

Fair Trade Fair Trade operates similarly to regular supply and demand, but with fewer intermediaries or “middlemen.” Fair Trade provides a more equitable form of exchange. It pays fair prices to small producers. This makes it possible for the people producing these products to keep a decent home, feed their families and send their children to school. Customers are encouraged to think about the person behind the product.

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