food

A world food crisis; empty rice bowls and fat rats

Food riots have broken out in several countries

A short look at the problems in world food production and supply, and its links with rising oil prices, global warming and changes in farming techniques.

In the Chittagong hill tracts of rural south-eastern Bangladesh the bamboo is in bloom - and the local poor are hungry and facing famine. Bamboo blooms and seeds itself roughly once every 50 years; the rats love the seeds, and their high protein content causes them to breed four times faster than normal.

UK: Strike at Bernard Matthews called off

Not bootiful: Matthews

A strike of 1,300 workers at turkey firm Bernard Matthews for this Thursday has been called off by Unite following an injunction threat.

Meatinfo reported that a pay dispute prompted the action, with the union Unite claiming that a 2% pay rise offer was in effect, a pay cut, as inflation stands at 3.9%.

Welsh factory workers on strike for better pay

The workers have threatened further strike action

Two north Wales food plants launched a 24 hour strike on Monday, following a company "pay freeze".

The workers at the Grampian Country Food Group are demanding a pay increase in line with other Grampian employees across the country. The strikes have been held in Sandycroft, Flintshire and Llangefni, Anglesey.

Sugar workers in Guyana on strike for second day

The sugar industry is Guyana's main employer

Sugar workers in Guyana came out in thousands to demand wage increases.

The Guyana Sugar Worker's Union is demanding automatic wage increases for sugar workers to compensate for the introduction of a 16% value added tax starting in the new year. Around 14,000 Workers from sugar cane fields and factories, had their second day of strikes on Wednesday, and belong to the country's most powerful labour union.

1995: The JJ Foods Strike

On October 31st 95, forty five workers at JJ Fast Food Distribution Ltd. in Tottenham were sacked for joining the T&G.

JJ FOODS STRIKE

Gardening and food-growing guide

Personal advice and tips on growing your own fruit and vegetables to stay healthy and save money.

We all know the advantages of organically produced food, but why should we have to spend a fortune on organic fruit and veg? It is often from miles away, over packed, expensive, a bit manky by the time we get it and in some areas only available from supermarkets.

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