Ban to ask nations to alter food policies

ROME, June 2 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon will urge nations attending a summit in Rome to suspend price controls that led to high food prices, U.N. officials said.

In remarks scheduled for delivery Tuesday, Ban is expected to ask leaders of more than 24 countries that impose trade restrictions, agricultural taxes and other price control measures to reverse their actions, saying the measures have driven prices higher, The Washington Post reported Monday.

He also will urge the United States and other nations to consider ratcheting back subsidies for food-based biofuels.

More than 40 heads of state are expected to attend the June 3-5 summit on the global food crisis with goals of securing assistance to the worlds hungriest people and ensuring subsistence farmers will receive the seeds and fertilizers they need to plant their crops this season.

Delegates also hope to reach a united response to the food crisis, U.N. officials said. Countries agree on the need to increase food production, but negotiations about the wording of a statement has triggered debate over the role of genetically modified crops, biofuels, subsidies, trade policy and financing, the Post reported.

Ban also will present a global action plan developed by a U.N. task force.