Corporate Control

International Financial Institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have forced many countries in the global south into privatisation, financial deregulation and the opening up of their agricultural markets to imports. The dumping of cheap imported food (often heavily subsidised) on markets pushes out small local farmers, destroying the livelihoods of millions of families. US corn is a good example. Through institutions such as the IMF, corporations ensure policies are adopted that maximise their profits, often at the expense of those most in need of food.

For further information, see the corporate control and trade sections of Corporate Watch's Rough Guide to the UK Farming Crisis