Modern Clearance threat to poorest

Published on 04/10/2012 00:00

FOREIGN investors have bought up more than 100 million hectares of land in poor countries in the past decade in deals, which could be contributing to hunger and poverty, campaigners warned.

An area the size of the Lothians was sold off or leased every six days to outside investors in developing countries between 2000 and 2010, with more than 60 per cent of investments taking place in nations with serious hunger problems, Oxfam said.

But two-thirds of investors planned to export everything they grew, according to new report, Our Land, Our Lives.

Oxfam says sales are not adequately regulated to prevent modern-day Clearances. Oxfam’s chief Barbara Stocking said: “The rush for land is out of control and some of the world’s poorest are suffering hunger, violence and greater poverty as a result.”