Holy See notes other costs of food crisis

NEW YORK, MAY 19, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The global food crisis should not be measured just in terms of market costs, but also in terms of the mental and spiritual costs faced by those who cannot provide for themselves and their family, affirmed the Holy See.

“Investing in long-term and sustainable agriculture programs at the local and international levels remains central to the development prospects of so many,” … “This investment must be done in a way that addresses the prices of food commodities as well as the distribution and production of food around the world, in particular in Africa.

“Programs that allow farmers to produce food commodities at the local levels should continue to be supported and greater efforts must be made to mitigate the negative aspects of changing environmental and financial realities.”