David Carter

Wellington, Nov 19 NZPA - Minister of Agriculture David Carter told World Summit on Food Security today it had failed to meet aspirations to reduce the number of hungry and malnourished in the world.

"In the face of such a collective failure, we have no alternative but to confront this situation with an intensified political commitment, new thinking, new approaches and a new resolve to make a significant and enduring impact."

The three-day summit in Rome, which ends today, was hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to address worsening food insecurities .

Mr Carter, representing New Zealand among 400 delegates from about 70 countries, said the world summit "must now deliver" to help the one billion hungry.

Though there were positive signs, "hard questions need to continue to be asked about the performance of the FAO in the context of food security, and how its efficiency and effectiveness can be improved", he said.

"The reform process that is underway is a positive step but its implementation must continue at pace. If it does not, then the credibility of the FAO will be called into question."

Mr Carter said it was "deeply regrettable" the Doha Round, current-trade negotiations that look at "distortions that penalise efficient producers and impair the opportunities for farmers," had not been completed.

"It is incumbent on all WTO (World Trade Organisation) members to pursue a successful and rapid conclusion to the Doha Round.

"It is also deeply worrying to New Zealand that in some quarters the food security crisis is being used as an excuse for increased trade protectionism."

Addressing climate change to maintain an agricultural sector that will feed growing populations is also fundamental.

The topic was in a declaration adopted at the summit, where it states to proactively face the challenge of climate change to food security and to promote search for food and agriculture.

It is a challenge New Zealand is committed to, Mr Carter said.

This year's World Summit is the third in the past decade. So far it has failed to meet stated goals, including to cut the number of world's hungry in half by 2015.