WTO Members Discuss Ag Proposals for MC13 on Export Restrictions, Domestic Support
World Trade Organization members discussed a host of new proposals on agriculture topics during Oct. 19-20 agriculture negotiation meetings, including on export restrictions, domestic support, food security and food bought at minimum prices for public stocks, the WTO said.
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The U.K., Senegal and Japan submitted proposals on export restrictions, with the U.K. and Japan emphasizing the need to boost transparency of export-restrictive measures by clearing up WTO provisions that bolster food security. Senegal, representing least-developed countries, called for an exemption from any export restrictions for food purchases by LDCs and net food-importing developing nations for domestic consumption.
On domestic support, India sought elimination of "Aggregate Measurement of Support" beyond de minimis and the Cairns agri-food exporting nations' analysis of the "Green Box" support trends. Some developing countries argued against the entitlements, while others "called for a holistic approach to address all forms of trade-distorting domestic support, rather than selectively focusing only on AMS above de minimis entitlements," the WTO said.
Regarding food bought at minimum prices for public stocks, the chair of the discussions invited discussion of the textual suggestions regarding notifications and transparency of public stockholding. Some members supported an element-by-element approach as a means to engage in substantive talks, while others, mainly developing countries, said ag talks should focus on a food security package. As a result, LDCs said WTO members should immediately start text-based negotiations.
The next ag negotiation meetings are set for Nov. 21-22.