The global food crisis caused by soaring prices is jeopardizing the right to food, and any potential solution to the problem must be viewed through the lens of human rights, an independent United Nations expert said yesterday.

Presenting his latest report to the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Olivier De Schutter, the special rapporteur on the right to food, said that international assistance and cooperation are key to achieving that right under international human rights law.

Speculation in the futures market of primary agricultural commodities is one of the factors responsible for driving up the cost of food, he said.

The expert pointed out the role of agrofuel production in food price volatility. But discussions of whether production of the fuels should be halted or promoted in the best interests of farmers should be guided by the consideration of human rights, he added.

De Schutter stressed that the council must ensure that acting in the interests of tackling climate change does not impede food protection and protecting human rights.

To date, with the exception of Brazil, production of biofuels has not proven to be a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, given the use of fertile land, water and energy necessary. De Schutter called on the 47-member council to quickly adopt global agreements and guidelines to scrutinize agrofuel production.

Although the surge in food prices caught people around the world off guard, the poor are hungry because they cannot afford to eat, not because of a lack of food, he said.