While in Salt Lake City for his first visit to the United States since he left office and his first-ever trip to Utah, Howard likely also will discuss a widespread world problem: being "slap-bang in the middle of the terrible food problem." Food shortages are pushing up pricing and presenting a "huge" humanitarian and potential political challenge to many developing countries, he said.

While not providing possible solutions, Howard said the problem has been caused by drought in many countries, including Australia. He also blamed "this absurd overinvestment in biofuels, which is taking grain away from food production and into biofuel production." Other contributing factors include the "middle-classing" of China, India and other countries boosting the need for higher-protein diets and poor agricultural world-trade policies.

"These things have all come together in this perfect storm to create this food shortage," Howard said. "It's a very big challenge."

---

If you go . . .

Zions Bank's seventh annual International Trade and Business Conference will take place from 8:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Downtown Marriott.

The cost is $35 and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Registration can be completed at www.tradeconference.zionsbank.com or by calling 801-844-8573.

In addition to a keynote presentation by former Australian Prime Minster John Winston Howard, the event will include speakers discussing pan-Pacific trade, vendor booths focused on international trade, and Zions honoring two recipient companies of its Global Pacesetter award.

---

E-mail: bwallace@desnews.com