31.   American agricultural policy distorts food prices, frustrates innovation, limits product diversity and subsidizes a select group of farmers at enormous public cost.

32.   And food prices were higher, led by increases in the cost of meat, poultry, fish and eggs.

33.   Analysts said that lower-than-expected increases in food prices and rents helped keep the number down.

34.   And if Congress does not want to risk much more volatility in food prices, the government will have to play a role in supply management.

35.   Another concern will be the effect of the El Nino weather phenomenon on food prices, Edkins said.

36.   Approval of the legislation is crucial to industry groups who say a mass repeal of pesticides would bring higher food prices and have little effect on food safety.

37.   Another reason is that food prices have been on a downward trend since peaking three years ago, when a variety of natural disasters temporarily slashed world food stocks.

38.   Beef provides a good example of falling food prices.

39.   Besides raising food prices and the deficit, farm price supports threaten the federal food stamp and nutrition programs, like subsidized school breakfasts and lunches.

40.   A bold initiative to lower food prices by flooding markets with supplies remains on the planning board.