US EPA

6444488 

Journal Article 

The politics and responsibility of the North American breadbasket / Lester R. Brown. - 

Brown, LR 

1975 

The world food economy has been transformed by 1) decrease in surplus stock reserves and excess production capacity; and 2) dependence on North America for food supplies. Most of 115 countries surveyed import food; the United States and Canada remain the most significant exporters. Factors in increased dependence are 1) growing population increases demand; 2) agricultural mismanagement; 3) new affluence in OPEC and other countries. Food shortages contribute to inflation, nutritional stress, and increased death rates in some areas. Changing trade patterns in key countries like Japan, China, India, U.S.S.R., Brazil and the OPEC nations will influence future food-trade trends. Basic resources needed to expand food production-land, water, energy, and fertilizers- are not abundant. A developing food strategy must stress international interdependence and cooperation. 

; Food supply; Food relief -- United States/