World Bank President Robert Zoellick has called for reform of biofuel policies in rich countries, urging them to grow more food to feed the hungry.

He was speaking at the G8 summit in Japan, where soaring food and fuel prices are top of the agenda.

The G8 leaders have been holding talks with seven African leaders.

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Speaking on the sidelines of the summit on Hokkaido island, Mr Zoellick said biofuels - transport fuels made from crops - have made a contribution to food price rises.

He laid particular blame on fuels made from rapeseed and corn produced in the United States and the EU.

''The US and Europe also need to take action to reduce mandates, subsidies and tariffs benefiting grain and oil seed biofuels that take food off the table for millions," he said.

The three-day summit is being held at the resort town of Toyako.

As the meeting began, Mr Ban urged G8 leaders to help tackle the food crisis by delivering "the full range of immediate needs, including food assistance as well as seeds, fertiliser and other inputs for this year's planning cycle".

He also told reporters governments should commit to long-term agricultural investment and lift export restrictions "in particular for humanitarian purposes".

Mr Ban called on G8 leaders to work towards a new agreement on climate change, which he said was already posing major challenges in Africa.

Leaders from G8 nations - Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States - will be joined by counterparts from some 15 other countries, including seven African states.

The impact on the global economy of price rises and other shocks such as the credit crunch have eclipsed other concerns, correspondents say.

(BBC)

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