Global Food Systems: Food Regimes, Trade and Farm Crisis

What is colonialism?

Expanding and maintaining a central political power's authority over a distant land and its people, especially by European empires from the 15th to 20th centuries.

What was the triangle trade?

A trade system where Europe sent textiles and weapons to Africa, enslaved people were shipped from Africa to the Americas, and sugar, tobacco, and cotton were sent back to Europe.

What are food regimes?

A global, historical approach to food systems that combines commodity studies with world-systems theory, examining cycles of stability and transition.

What was the Green Revolution?

The post-WWII export of industrial farming methods to developing countries to increase agricultural yields.

What is neoliberalism?

An ideology promoting free markets and economic growth through deregulation, privatization, and export-oriented economies.

What are structural adjustment programs (SAPs)?

Conditions imposed on IMF/World Bank loans that require cuts in spending on education, health, and infrastructure while prioritizing debt repayment.

What is a tariff?

A tax on imported goods designed to protect local producers.

What are cash crops?

Crops grown primarily for sale in international markets rather than for local consumption.

What defines a family farm?

A farm where family members provide labor, management, and much of the investment.

What is a cost-price squeeze?

The situation where rising input costs coincide with flat or falling prices for farm products.

What is supply management?

Canada's system for dairy, poultry, and eggs that matches production to domestic demand and restricts imports.

What are plant breeders' rights?

Canadian laws that give seed companies control over plant varieties, making farmers' seed-saving a privilege.

What is food sovereignty?

The movement to return control over food-producing resources and markets to local farmers and communities.

How did colonialism affect food trade?

Industrializing Europe relied on colonies for cheap raw goods, driving more colonialism and slavery.

What was the first food regime?

The period from 15th-20th century characterized by European empires controlling food trade through colonialism.

What was the second food regime?

The post-WWII era where the United States became the global power and agriculture became industrialized.

What is the third food regime?

The current era dominated by corporations and international institutions, focusing on cash crops and free trade.

What was the role of railways in the first food regime?

Railways facilitated a global grain market, allowing settler states to export large quantities of staple crops.

What was the impact of the Green Revolution?

It led to increased agricultural yields through the use of hybrid seeds, agro-chemicals, and irrigation.

What did the US agricultural policy focus on during the second food regime?

It emphasized industrial food production and the export of agricultural surpluses to former colonies.

What are the signature features of the third food regime?

Free trade, deregulation, privatization, and structural adjustment programs.

What example illustrates the impact of colonial trade on modern food systems?

The sugar trade in Barbados, which relied on enslaved labor and led to environmental degradation.

What is the significance of food regimes theory?

It links food production and consumption to the global power dynamics and worldviews of different historical eras.

What are the inequalities shown by global food trade?

While Canada benefits from cheap food imports, local economies in producing countries often suffer.

What was the relationship between sugar demand and slavery?

The rising demand for sugar in Europe led to an increase in the demand for enslaved labor in the colonies.

What is the memory hook for the eras of food trade?

Empire, then Britain, then USA, then Corporations ('B-U-C').

What major shift occurred in global power after WWII?

The United States replaced Britain as the global power.

What characterized the second food regime post-WWII?

The industrial food system was born, creating huge surpluses and leading to specialized, homogenized production.

What were the pros of the Green Revolution?

More calories produced, less hunger and famine, and reduced dependency on imports for some countries.

What were the cons of the Green Revolution?

Diets narrowed to grains, pushed traditional crops aside, and higher input costs for farmers.

Who criticized the Green Revolution and why?

Vandana Shiva criticized it for being driven by US interests and harming local agriculture.

What is the third food regime characterized by?

Neoliberalism, emphasizing free trade and limited government intervention in agriculture.

What role does the World Trade Organization (WTO) play?

It sets trade rules between nations and helps goods cross borders freely.

What is a criticism of the WTO?

It prioritizes market access over local food systems.

What happened to Haiti's rice industry after the IMF loan?

Haiti's rice tariff was cut, allowing subsidized US rice to flood the market, harming local farmers.

What is Nettie Wiebe's thesis regarding Canada's agriculture?

Canada's agriculture industry is booming while family farms are failing due to agribusiness capturing the gains.

What external forces have redesigned farming in Canada?

Technological advancements, changes in seed laws, increased chemical use, and market pressures.

What is the impact of standardization and specialization in agriculture?

It suppresses biodiversity and favors monocultures, making mixed family farms less competitive.

What is supply management in agriculture?

A system where production matches domestic demand, ensuring prices cover costs and restricting imports.

What are the seven causes of farms losing ground?

Cost-price squeeze, rising input costs, flat or falling farm-gate prices, and agribusiness capturing profits.

How did trade agreements affect Canadian agriculture?

They led to increased exports and a shift towards growing for export rather than local consumption.

What was the effect of the Canada-US FTA on exports?

Exports nearly quadrupled after the agreement.

What is the significance of the term 'food sovereignty' according to Wiebe?

It advocates for local control over food systems and prioritizing local farmers' needs.

What is the relationship between neoliberal policies and food workers?

Neoliberal policies often cut support for food workers, increasing their vulnerability.

What was the impact of the Green Revolution on traditional crops?

It led to a decline in traditional crops like millet and sorghum in favor of wheat, maize, and rice.

What did Bill Clinton admit about US rice policy in Haiti?

He admitted that it was a mistake to cut the rice tariff, which harmed local farmers.

What are the consequences of treating food as a commodity?

It aligns with the global neoliberal trade agenda, prioritizing profit over nourishment.

What is the role of agribusiness corporations in international trade?

They conduct most of the actual trading across countries and hold significant market power over farmers.

What is the significance of the term 'cost-price squeeze'?

It refers to the situation where rising input costs are not matched by rising farm-gate prices.

What major event in 2003 impacted prairie cattle prices?

The BSE case, which led to the US border closure.

What pressure do farmers face regarding farm size?

Farmers are pressured to expand for economies of scale.

What trend has been observed in farm ownership since 2008?

Large operations are increasingly investor-owned.

What is the impact of subsidies on farm production?

Subsidies paid per unit of production mainly benefit the biggest farms.

How much did farm debt increase from 2006 to 2018?

Farm debt doubled from $52 billion to $106 billion.

What is the debt-to-net income ratio for farmers in the 2000s?

Over $23 of debt per $1 of net income.

Which corporations dominate beef packing in North America?

Cargill and JBS, holding approximately 90% of the market.

What has been the trend in market net farm income since the 2000s?

Market net farm income was negative for most of the 2000s.

What demographic change occurred in Canadian farms from 1991 to 2016?

Canada lost 31% of its farms.

What is Wiebe's proposed solution for sustainable agriculture?

Promoting small-scale family farms and food sovereignty.

How do mixed farms contribute to ecological sustainability?

They work with natural cycles, enhancing fertility and controlling weeds.

What is the significance of food sovereignty according to Wiebe?

It aims to return control of food resources to local farmers and communities.

What are the benefits of family farms passing between generations?

They protect the land instead of exploiting it for profit.

What challenges do producers face in the global market?

Cost-price squeeze, debt, price swings, and competition with subsidized imports.

What has been the impact of climate change on developing countries?

It disproportionately affects them, with 75% of the world's hungry relying on farming.

What is the common thread among the three food regimes discussed?

The assumption that developing countries lack knowledge about agriculture.

What is a key criticism of relying solely on Western science in agriculture?

It has contributed to climate change and overlooked local knowledge.

What was the impact of the Green Revolution on crop diversity?

About 75% of crop diversity has been lost.

What role do women play in rural communities according to the notes?

They are often caregivers and volunteers who sustain community life.

What are the consequences of corporate concentration in agriculture?

It limits farmers' bargaining power and increases their dependency.

What is the significance of farmers' markets and gardening in the movement?

They signify a growing movement towards reconnecting food systems.

What are the benefits of industrialization and liberalized trade for agriculture?

Higher output, efficiency, and access to export markets.

What are the harms faced by family farms in the current agricultural system?

Cost-price squeeze, debt, and loss of self-reliance.

What is the role of family farming in a sustainable food system?

It integrates ecological practices and supports rural community life.

What has been the trend in the number of young farmers in Canada?

The proportion of young farmers has decreased from 1 in 4 to 1 in 8.

What is the impact of government policies on small-scale farming?

Policies often favor large agribusiness over small-scale farms.

What are the signs of a growing movement towards food sovereignty?

Increased farmers' markets, gardening, and activism.