asked Her Majesty's Government:

In light of recent price increases of many basic foods and global shortages of certain commodities, what proactive steps they are taking. [HL3290]

The Prime Minister has written to the Japanese Prime Minister asking him, as chair of the G8, to take action in a number of key areas in response to rising food prices. The Prime Minister also hosted a food summit on 22 April 2008 to consider these issues. The current increase in food commodity prices is due to a number of factors and the Government are looking at a range of short- and medium-term responses to the current situation, including how, through co-ordinated international action, we can support the world's poor and developing economies in which access to food is most under threat.