Economic and food supply chain disruptions endanger global food security (Before It’s News) 

Before It's News published an article on the journal article, Economic and Food Supply Chain Disruptions Endanger Global Food Security in “Science.” The article’s authors/researchers David Laborde, Will Martin, Johan Swinnen, and Rob Vos write, COVID-19 has led to a global economic slowdown that is affecting all four pillars of food security – availability, access, utilization, and stability. Director General Johan Swinnen stated, “The most important impact of the pandemic on food security is through income declines that put food access at risk. This is especially a concern for the extreme poor, who spend on average about 70 percent of their total income on food.” Markets, Trade, and Institutions Division Director  Rob Vos added, “It is critical to exempt agricultural practices and actors from COVID-19 lockdown measures to ensure the adequate flow of food from farm to fork.” Discussing export restrictions on staple foods including rice and wheat imposed by 21 countries in the early months of the pandemic created volatility. Senior Research Fellow David Laborde said, “Fortunately, many of these export restrictions have since been lifted, and world market prices for rice, for instance, declined after the end of Vietnam’s export ban.” The journal article also discusses support and response from high-income countries and international organizations and how crucial the support is for poor countries with limited fiscal space. Senior Research Fellow Will Martin stated, “Such support would not only aid global economic recovery but also mitigate the enormous humanitarian costs associated with the health tragedy of COVID-19 and the consequent food crisis.” Also published in Eureka Alert, Eurasia Review, One News Page, Medical Life Sciences News, Kapital-Russia News, New Food Magazine, Baidu.com.