In another AFP report, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson called it "unanswerable" that developing countries were facing trade barriers, exacerbating the problem of world hunger.

"It is unanswerable that access to agricultural markets (is restricted), Robinson said, speaking to a press briefing at the opening day of the UN World Food Summit in Rome.

"The capacity to trade is the greatest single way in which developing countries can make progress," she said, in reference to the high tariffs many developed countries levy on imported food stuffs.