Cristina Fernandez Calls for Market Regulation to Tackle Hunger

Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez proposed Monday that global market regulations prevent the hoarding of food and the speculation of prices.

“We ask for speculation to be regulated, like so many other things in the world,” the Argentine head of state said.

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Fernandez, who was speaking at the United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) summit, cited the example of rice prices during the 2008 international economic crisis – when prices soared – and states and international organisms had to rescue local producers.

“Articulation between the public and private (sectors) must exist. We know that the state is irreplaceable, and it was confirmed during the 2008 crisis, when the state had to take care of the jobless, those who had no education and those who had no health care,” she added.

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The head of state also raised the importance of regulating financial markets worldwide, reminding the summit of the Argentine experience during the 2001 crisis. 

She warned countries could acquire debts impossible to pay, which itself threatens a country's food security.

“(We) must end with the 'do I sell or not sell?' which involves people's ability to eat,” she explained.

Argentina's government received a special recognition by FAO on Monday, for its efforts in eradicating hunger.