Free trade leaves world food in grip of global giants

Guardian Unlimited | Free trade leaves world food in grip of global giants:

"The report will say that 30 companies now account for a third of the world's processed food; five companies control 75% of the international grain trade; and six companies manage 75% of the global pesticide market.

It finds that two companies dominate sales of half the world's bananas, three trade 85% of the world's tea, and one, Wal-mart, now controls 40% of Mexico's retail food sector. It also found that Monsanto controls 91% of the global GM seed market."

I thought the catch cry of globalisation was: Think globally, act locally.In practice it doesn't seem to be the case. I can't think of anything better than sourcing food locally and then swapping seasonal food globally. I can't think of anything worse than patenting seeds, multinationals (what a misnoma that is) owning seeds and pesticides. Why would we put food into the hand of single companies and countries? Food and utilities are basic to survival. We need to grow our own, supply ourselves and then share, which we can do these days because it's so easy to freight things around the world. I don't mind buying strawberries from Washington when ours are out of season. I do mind buying sugar from elsewhere when our farmers can't make a living from it any longer and we were a big sugar cane producer. Moving with the times is all very well but not when you can't eat and you can't source your own food.