WTO MC12: Export restrictions can blow up global food crisis, says DG

Director General Okonjo Iweala Ngozi warns of a 'bumpy road' to consensus on even one-two deliverables

World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director General Okonjo Iweala Ngozi said on Sunday that member nations should not ‘underestimate’ the impact of export restrictions as such measures, when implemented by countries, can exacerbate the ongoing global food crisis.

“You saw that in the 2008-2009 food crisis, just those kinds of actions did lead to price spikes. In the food security declaration, our members are trying to speak about how they would try to restrain themselves from taking these kinds of actions. And this is a very important contribution that they can make to keep the price of food products from rising