Daily Herald | Posted: Saturday, May 10, 2008 11:00 pm
Rising food prices have set off riots and protests in dozens of nations around the world. Here is a look at the actions governments have taken to prevent unrest:
• PHILIPPINES: Government says it will issue "rice access cards" to the poor to buy subsidized grain and orders a crackdown on hoarders and speculators.
• INDIA, VIETNAM, NEPAL: Restrict rice exports.
• BANGLADESH: To guarantee good harvests, farmers demand high-yielding varieties of seeds, cheaper fertilizers, insecticides and diesel, and soft loans for farming equipment.
• ETHIOPIA: Government distributes subsidized wheat in urban centers.
• SENEGAL: Reaches deal with India to ensure Senegal's rice needs are met for the next six years.
• PERU: Soldiers hand out rice, cooking oil, beans and cans of anchovies in shantytowns.
• BRAZIL: Bans exports of government rice stocks.
• ARGENTINA: Maintains rice export ban to Brazil and imposes export taxes on soy and beef.
-- VENEZUELA: At Caracas summit, Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia and Nicaragua announce $100 million food fund.
-- HAITI: Rice subsidies promised after riots leave at least seven dead and force the prime minister from office.
-- DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Sends 30 trucks with subsidized food to poor parts of Santo Domingo.
-- GUYANA: Government gives seeds to villagers to sow them on idle land and in gardens.
-- BOLIVIA: Government selling "solidarity rice" at discounted prices.