MP supportinglocal campaignto feed Africa

Rye MP Amber Rudd heard the concerns of local members of the World Development Movement (WDM) over the UK’s channelling of £600m of the Aid Budget through the G8’s New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition in Africa.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Nov 2014, 10:45 BST
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The government hopes the Alliance “will lift 50 million out of poverty” but, as WDM member Sally Phillips, explained, WDM’s view is that “these policies would result in taking control of land, resources and profits away from small farmers and handing them over to multinationals, based elsewhere.”

She said: “WDM, in common with many African organisations, believes that supporting “food sovereignty” is more likely to achieve the G8’s stated aims.

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“Amber Rudd emphasised that the purpose of international aid was to assist poorer nations, not to support multinational corporations and that every pound spent must be spent wisely. She asked for further information, especially on the effects of tax havens.”

Amber said: “It was a great pleasure to meet with residents and I would encourage any of my constituents to get in contact or visit me at one of my surgeries.

“I am very glad that they took the opportunity to meet me to discuss such an important global issue and I was very interested to hear the wide range of views. I will most certainly be passing on their concerns to the Secretary of State Justine Greening MP.”

The MP has now written to the Secretary of State for International Development, asking for her comments in response to their petition.

Amber’s next Drop in Surgery takes place on Friday 14 November at Jempsons Supermarket, Rye, opposite the train station, from 4.30pm - 5.30pm.

Related topics:AfricaJustine Greening