U.N. Report on Food Crisis Calls for Action

From the New York Times:

"...Food prices have soared since 2006, prompting discontent across the globe and, in some instances, rioting. The Food and Agriculture Organization’s index of food prices increased 24 percent in 2007 compared with the previous year, and 53 percent in the first three months of 2008.

"While noting that price spikes in agricultural markets were not uncommon, the report suggested that the current run-up in prices was different because it had lasted longer and affected nearly all major food and feed commodities, instead of just a few crops. It predicted that higher food prices would continue but was vague on how long the higher prices would last..."