Hungry for Trade: How the Poor Pay for Free Trade

As the fallout from the Seattle meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) continues, John Madeley explores some key questions about the free trade that it advocates: Will free trade in food help or hinder the abolition of world hunger? Who benefits first? The poor? Or the transnational corporations? Will free trade help Third World farmers find new international markets? How can countries - North and South, rich and poor - protect their farmers? How can self-sufficiency in food production be achieved? His book exposes the contradiction between Western governments' rhetoric about reducing world poverty and the drive to yet more trade liberalization.

Review: 'A timely and important resource for the growing debate on trade and agriculture and the review of the WTO rules that promote trade at the cost of livelihood and food security. John Madeley combines the perspectives of people in the south and north to create another agenda for food based on justice and human rights.' Vandana Shiva 'A unique overview of how new trade rules governing intellectual property rights and agriculture have damaged the sector most vital to developing countries' future.' Sophia Murphy, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Minneapolis 'For years, rich and poor citizens have been told that so-called free trade is the answer to their food needs. John Madeley's book is a marvellous riposte.' Tim Lang Thames Valley University 'John Madeley has spent his life advocating the cause of farmers in the poorer countries?. His ability to research complex issues and explain in simple terms how they are damaging the poor is astounding.' John Montagu, Earl of Sandwich