Open trade vital to food security, says Cargill head

According to Cargill’s David MacLennan, who spoke at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum, open trade is vital to ensuring better access to food.

In a panel discussion about food security, MacLennan said Cargill was optimistic about the food industry’s ability to feed nine billion people by 2050. MacLennan explained that farmers produced enough food to meet the nutritional needs of all the people in the world. He said: “The question is: ‘Will we have the policies and infrastructure in place to ensure the poorest members of society will be able to continue to access that food?’”​

However, to ensure that such a fete can be achieved, he emphasised the importance of free trade to enable the creation of a more food-secure world. He said: “We cannot feed nine billion people without open trade.  We encourage governments to advance policies that will help the world realize the benefits of trade flows, which include better access to safe, affordable and nutritious food for all.”​

Cargill claims it is dedicated to being the global leader in nourishing people and working to address the challenge of feeding a world that is also concerned about the health of the planet. The company said it “advocates for policies that let markets work and enable farmers to thrive”.​

MacLennan said that Cargill also helps expand access to food, as well as improving nutrition and pursuing partnerships to end hunger. He said it works to increase agricultural productivity and incomes, while ensuring responsible land use.

“Over the past five years, Cargill has contributed more than $55 million to reduce hunger and improve nutrition globally” he added.