Prime Minister Bruce Golding is harshly criticising the world's leading countries for their slow response to the burgeoning world food crisis.

Addressing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) supporters during an Area Council One meeting in Pembroke Hall, St Andrew, on Sunday, Golding said it seemed the leaders of the G8 had fallen asleep while the world's poorer countries were suffering bitterly from daily increases in food prices.

"The world is in a crisis and I'm absolutely amazed that up until now the world has not woke up to say, 'Hey, we have problem!'" Golding told his audience.

"I am amazed that the leaders of the world, particularly the leaders of the eight most developed countries, have not yet found it necessary to convene a meeting to say: 'Now, gentlemen, this thing is affecting all of us. It is going to [impact] the world in such a way that it may take us 15 or 20 years to recover. We cannot allow it to happen," a concerned Golding added.

He said he has tried to engage British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on the issue during his recent tour of England two weeks ago. Golding said Brown shared similar concerns and committed to push for a high-level meeting, which will take place on September 25 in New York.

"Some of us might die before the 25th of September comes," a perturbed Golding argued.

Disappointment

"I must express my own disappointment, my own chagrin, at what is happening globally. Food riots have broken out in almost 40 countries across the world, including countries like Egypt and the Philippines.

"What is happening is not just a blip, it's not just a little phase that [will] soon pass. What is happening is undermining the economic structures of the world and I am amazed that the world has not yet seen it fit to meet," he continued.

Oil prices

High world oil and commodities prices have been driving up the price of food over the past 12 months. Oil settled below US$128 a barrel on Monday after shooting to a record US$135 early last week. Experts such as global investment banking firm Goldman Sachs have projected that oil prices could close out the year between US$150 and US$200 a barrel.

The price of corn has been driven up tremendously in recent years by a move to produce ethanol as a biofuel substitute to oil. Corn is a staple food in most countries.

Rising prices have been affecting Jamaicans tremendously, pushing up the price on all basic food products, such as flour, cereals, bread and chicken. Rising oil prices have also sent utility rates skyrocketing.