"There is a growing consensus that we need urgently to examine the impact on food prices of different kinds and production methods of biofuels, and ensure that their use is responsible and sustainable," Brown wrote in the letter to Yasuo Fukuda.

Food prices have been spiralling higher globally due partly to the use of certain foods in biofuels to combat climate change, as well as rising populations, strong demand from developing countries, and the increasing frequency of floods and droughts as a result of climate change.

"Rising food prices threaten to roll back progress we have made in recent years on development. For the first time in decades, the number of people facing hunger is growing," wrote Brown.

The British premier called for increased efforts by the G8 -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States -- "for a WTO trade deal that provides greater poor country access to developed country markets."

He also proposed "social safety nets for the poorest," adding: "We may need to increase ... the scale of our support for humanitarian programmes."

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