ROME (AP) — The new head of the U.N. food agency says he expects food prices to stay volatile in 2012 — and more people to go hungry.
Jose Graziano da Silva, Brazil's former food security minister, took over as director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization Jan. 1. He told reporters Tuesday his top priority was to make good on the agency's mandate: eradicate world hunger.
Graziano acknowledged that Europe's anticipated recession this year could affect his effort, with countries reneging on their annual FAO dues. But he said the assessments are relatively paltry and that the recession's only effect will be more work for FAO.
He said: "There will be many more people getting hungry, unemployed and we will need to find new ways to assist those governments."