World Agricultural Forum under way in St. Louis

The 2009 World Congress of the World Agricultural Forum got under way today with government, private and NGO leaders gathering in St. Louis for the beginning of three days of meetings on issues of agricultural production and supply, rising food costs, the crucial resource of water and the impacts on agricultural economies and resources during the current period of financial uncertainties on a global scale.
Leaders from around the globe gathered for a networking reception at the St. Louis Zoo on Sunday evening and will participate in panel discussions beginning Monday.
The three-day forum, “Our Global Priority: Food Security – Financial, Trade and Technical Strategies,” will address the world’s growing population and the impacts on food, fuel, fiber and water in both emerging and developed markets.