Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness Featherstone and Ann McKechin

Wednesday 30th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Ann McKechin (Glasgow North) (Lab)]

3. What steps her Department is taking to improve food security in west Africa.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development (Lynne Featherstone)]

The UK is improving food security in west Africa through investment in agricultural research, innovative agribusiness, improving access to markets and supporting national food security plans. We work through country programmes in Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia, and international organisations such as the World Bank.

[Ann McKechin]

The Minister will be aware that the impact of climate change in that region has led to a dramatic fall in crop yields. What efforts is her Department making to secure global agreement on finding new sources of finance, so that countries in the region can plan properly for their future food supplies?

[Lynne Featherstone]

The hon. Lady points to the fragility of this area and its food security. Crises arise from chronic vulnerabilities that need long-term solutions. We are supporting multilateral efforts to promote resilience in the Sahel to ensure that its communities can deal with the shocks and do not face dire consequences in future. We are currently preparing a Sahel resilience strategy.