Fears global energy crisis could lead to famine in vulnerable countries

One of world's biggest fertiliser producers calls for action as high gas prices force it to slash production

The global energy crisis could escalate into a world food crisis leading to famine in vulnerable countries unless urgent action is taken, one of the world's biggest producers of fertiliser has warned.

Svein Tore Holsether, the chief executive of Yara, which produces 8.6m tonnes of the key fertiliser ingredient ammonia annually, said high gas costs meant it was curbing production in Europe by 40%.