Bid to force WTO notification on food export bans fails
Source: 02-MAY-2008 Intellasia | ABC
May 2, 2008 - 7:00:00 AM Japan and Switzerland have failed in a bid to force countries imposing food export bans to notify the World Trade Organisation first. At a WTO meeting in Geneva, Japan and Switzerland -both of whom are net importers of food -said countries restricting exports should also have to justify their actions.

Their proposal would have given food importers the right to challenge export bans at the WTO.

India, Vietnam, Egypt and Argentina are among a number of countries that have recently imposed restrictions on food exports, to ensure domestic supplies.

China restriction

The decision comes as China's commerce ministry has reaffirmed government restrictions on grain exports. It's urging regional authorities to increase reserves of grain, meat and cooking oil to ensure supplies and keep food prices in check.

The call, in line with earlier remarks by Premier Wen Jiabao, comes as many rice exporting countries reduce export quotas, pushing the world price of rice, wheat and other foods to record highs.

China's grain prices are among the lowest in the world as Beijing constantly releases state reserves to keep prices in check.

However, prices in the south have risen more than 10% in recent weeks.