This book explores the potential for policy reform as a short-term, low-cost way to sustainably enhance global food security. It argues that reforming policies that distort food prices and trade will promote the openness needed to maximize global food availability and reduce fluctuations in international food prices. Beginning with an examination of historical trends in markets and policies, Anderson assesses the prospects for further reforms, and projects how they may develop over the next fifteen years. He pays particular attention to domestic policy changes made possible by the information technology revolution, which will complement global change to deal directly with farmer and consumer concerns.

Kym Anderson is Professor of Economics at the University of Adelaide and the Australian National University. He has also worked at the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade Secretariat (now the World Trade Organization) and at the World Bank as Lead Economist, Trade Policy. He has published many books, including Distortions to Agricultural Incentives: A Global Perspective, 1955-2007.

1. Introduction and Summary.- 2. How Trade Can Boost Food Security.- 3. The Long History of Food Globalization.- 4. The Evolution of Food Trade Patterns since 1960.- 5. Market-Distorting Policies: Long-Run Trends and Short-Run Insulation.- 6. Estimating Trade, Welfare, and Poverty Effects of Trade Policy Reforms .- 7. The Interface between Trade and Technology Policies: What Role for GMOs?.- 8. International Food Price Spikes and Temporary Trade Policy Responses.- 9. Political Economy of Trade Policy Trends.- 10. Prospective Effects of (or Requiem for?) the Doha Development Agenda .- 11. Projecting Growth, Trade and Food Markets to 2030.- 12. Policy Implications and Prospects for Boosting Global Food Security.