This conference discussed the following points:
- How should national and international agricultural policies be shaped over the next 20-30 years given the significant changes in global agricultural production and demand in recent years?
- How will climate change and population growth impact on supply and demand?
- How can the expected constraints on production such as water and increased energy inputs be overcome whilst ensuring environmental sustainability?
- What is the right international framework for trade that will support developing as well as developed countries?
- How can trade and distribution be improved to ensure equity of access?
- How can risks of supply shocks be best managed?
- Should the market have free-rein or is more protection or government intervention needed or likely?
- How will global agricultural politics be shaped in the coming years?
- Are new international structures needed to manage the global trade in food commodities?
- Who should pay for policy responses such as long-term investment in agricultural production or strategic food reserves?
- To what extent will food-importing countries look to secure food supplies through purchasing the means of production and with what long-term impact on global supply?
