UN against ban on export of food items

ROME: While calling upon the developed world to step up food assistance, the United Nations on Tuesday asked countries not to ban export of food items as it will push up prices further.

"Some countries have taken action by limiting exports or by imposing price controls... They only distort market and force prices even higher. I call on nations to resist such measures," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said while addressing the summit meeting on the World Food Security:The Challenges of Climate Change and Bio-energy.

The advise of the UN secretary general comes at a time when India banned export of various commodities including rice to rein in inflation which soared to 45-month high of more than 8 per cent.

Referring to nations who have imposed export restrictions on exports, Ki-moon said: "Beggar Thy Neighbour food policies cannot work. They only distort markets and forces prices even higher."

In order to improve food availability, Ki-moon said the nations should adjust trade and taxation policies to minimise export restrictions and import tariffs, and help the free flow of agriculture goods.

The task of increasing food security and availability, he added, "may require big increases in financial support often in the form of grants and material assistance, not lending."

India is being represented at the Food Security Summit by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Agriculture Secretary P K Mishra and newly-appointed Ambassador to Italy Arif Khan among others.

The other world leaders who are participating at the summit include Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and Brazilian President Luiz Lula de Silva.