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Dept for International Development

Answer

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the barriers preventing the transportation of the surplus in cereal production in northern Mozambique to areas of the country facing food shortages; what steps her Department is taking to overcome these barriers; and if she will make a statement. [70872] Clare Short: Along with relevant Government Departments, other donors and NGO's, DFID supported a recent FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission in Mozambique. The mission confirmed the forecast export surplus of about 100,000 tonnes of maize, available following increased cereal production in the northern region. Logistics and traditional trading patterns will result in most of Mozambique's surplus being exported to Malawi and other neighbouring countries -- the worst affected countries in the region. Compared with imported South African grain, high internal transport costs make it uncompetitive to move the maize surplus from the north to deficit areas in the south and parts of the central region. The shortfall in these areas is expected to be covered mainly by food aid and commercial imports. This strategy takes into account the regional context as well as consideration of the options for alleviation within Mozambique. DFID is commissioning a short consultancy to advise on the most effective contribution we can make to alleviation and future prevention of the Mozambique food security crisis.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

70872; 389 c587W

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Cereals Distribution Food Mozambique Transport Shortages Maize Surpluses

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk