Sri Lanka has refused to support two agreements on food security proposed by the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Reuters news agency reported.
The 164-member trade body is seeking to reach two agreements at a major meeting of trade ministers this week in Geneva on steps to alleviate a food crisis that threatens the least developed and most vulnerable countries.
One would be a declaration to keep markets open, not restrict exports and be more transparent. The other would be a binding decision not to curb exports to the World Food Programme (WFP), which seeks to fight hunger in places hit by conflicts, disasters and climate change.
The International Monetary Fund has said that about 30 countries have restricted exports of food, energy and other commodities, including India with wheat.
WTO members expressed broad support for both texts, with the exception of Egypt, India and Sri Lanka, a WTO spokesperson told a news conference. Previously hesitant Tanzania decided to endorse the texts, the spokesperson added.
Egypt and Sri Lanka, both net food importers, want recognition that their ability to export food might be limited, Reuters reported.
India, which has a history of blocking multilateral trade agreements, wants the WTO to allow developing countries to hold food stocks without facing penalties for breaching rules on farm support. WTO members agreed to such a shield in 2013, but only on a temporary basis.