Dutch Financial Minister: cap on food prices

At the International Monetary Fund (IMF) / Word Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, the world financial crisis appears to be only the second item on the agenda. In an interview aired on Dutch television (Dutch language), the Netherlands' FM joins sides with IMF boss Mr. Dominique Strauss-Kahn. Mr. Bos calls on his colleagues and the entire international community to take measures now that counteract soaring food prices.

According to him, the food crisis is potentially threatening the lives of millions, or even tens of millions of people. "We [in the West] are worried what it costs to keep our tanks filled, while in other parts in the world people are worried what it costs to keep their stomachs filled", he says.

According to AGD.nl (Dutch language), Mr. Bos suggests to set a cap on food prices or even to refrain from using certain crops such as maize for the production of biofuels.