economy
Free up fertiliser supplies to avert global food crisis, Yvette Cooper urges
UK foreign secretary says urgent pressure needed to get strait of Hormuz reopened and fertiliser and fuel moving
TL;DR
- Fertiliser supplies are frozen due to Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, leading to a global supply crunch.
- This situation is damaging farming in the UK, Europe, and the US, with severe impacts on developing countries.
- Yvette Cooper warns the world is sleepwalking into a global food crisis, potentially affecting tens of millions.
- Urgent global pressure is needed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, allowing fertiliser and fuel to move.
- The crisis underscores the need for new global partnerships and increased overseas aid, despite recent cuts by some developed countries.
- The World Food Programme estimates nearly 45 million more people could face acute food insecurity if the conflict isn't resolved by mid-year.
- UK spy bosses warned of devastating impacts on national security from the collapse of ecosystems in developing countries, partly due to the climate crisis.
- UK development minister Jenny Chapman suggests private sector partnerships could double available aid.
- British International Investment will announce £4.6bn for climate investment in emerging markets.
- Oxfam GB calls for a permanent ceasefire and an end to UK aid cuts, urging taxation of the super-rich and polluters to fund poverty reduction.