Russia proposes grain summit

Russia, at the G8 summit in Japan, has proposed holding a grain summit as one way of resolving the food safety issue, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told reporters.

The proposal aims to institute a new format involving agriculture ministers within the G8.

Russia also proposed holding a special session to examine causes for grain price increases and ways to stabilise the situation. 

Medvedev said the G8 leaders agreed at the summit to create special funds and to render targeted aid to those states who have suffered the most from the current food crisis.