Japan to urge WTO to set rules on food export curbs

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Agriculture Minister Masatoshi Wakabayashi said on Tuesday that Japan will propose that the World Trade Organisation set clear rules for food export restrictions imposed by producing countries.

Wakabayashi said Japan will urge that the WTO create a mechanism for food importers, such as Japan, to give an opinion when notified about restrictions by an exporting country.

"In order to exercise export controls, rules have to be clearer," Wakabayashi told a news conference, the text of which was published on the ministry's website.

Global food prices have surged as major importers rushed to build stocks due to supply fears, while major exporters banned shipments to ensure they didn't experience shortages.

Surges in food prices on global markets sharply increased the risk of hunger and poverty in developing countries where many people spend the bulk of their household income on food.

Japan heavily relies on imports as the country's food self-sufficiency rate is only 39 percent, among the lowest of any industrialized country.

(Reporting by Chikafumi Hodo, Editing by Peter Blackburn)