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G8 urges study of foodstuffs stockpile

Agriculture representatives from the Group of Eight (G8) rich nations are calling for a studyinto setting up a global system to stockpile essential foodstuffs.

The call was issued following a meeting in Italy over the weekend. U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack was in attendance.

In its post-meeting statement, the G8 agriculture group calledupon international institutions to examine whether a system of stockpiling foodstuffs could be effective in dealing with humanitarian emergencies. The statement said such a system could also serve as a means to limit price volatility. The group expressed concern over the price speculation that itsays helped push up the cost of basic foods, sparking riots in some poor nations.

Following the meeting, Vilsack says the U.S. has a moral obligation to build consensus concerning access, availability and utilization of food among vulnerable populations.

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