ID :
13350
Tue, 07/22/2008 - 12:42
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/13350
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G-20 mounts pressure on rich nations to cut farm support
Geneva, Jul 22 (PTI) - An influential G-20 alliance, spearheaded by India, Brazil and South Africa, Monday mounted pressure on rich nations to substantially cut their lavish farm support in the wake of change in the world commodityprices.
"It will be necessary to achieve effective cuts in the overall trade distorting domestic subsidies, taking into account the change in pattern of world prices and its impact on current level of domestic support subsidies," a G-20 communique said here ahead of the of the mini-Ministerialmeeting for reaching a consensus on the Doha Round.
Reaffirming their unity, the G-20 said developed nations are responsible for distortions and restrictions inagriculture trade.
"At this critical juncture of... the global economy, developed countries must show they are prepared to live up to their responsibilities of reform by delivering on the mandate for substantial reductions in trade distorting domestic support, substantial improvement in market access andelimination of export agriculture negotiations," it said.
On the issue of market access for agricultural products, the alliance said developed countries must deliver an outcome that fulfills the Doha mandate for substantial improvement inmarket access.
"The formula for tariff cuts must be ambitious, particularly on the top band and the minimum average cut of 54 percent must be respected in line with the G-20 proposal. The tariff capping must be effective and apply for both sensitiveand non-sensitive products," it said.
The alliance said Special Products (farm items not covered for tariff cuts) and Special Safeguard Mechanism are vital in addressing the food security, rural development andlivelihood concerns of developing countries.
The ministers and senior officials of G-20 emphasised the need for maintaining balance within and between different areas of negotiations in line with the principle of specialand differential treatment.
Calling for correction in the proposals of the draft text on agriculture, the G-20 said number of flexibilities for developed countries in the current draft modalities are intended to preserve distorting policy space in domesticsupport and market access and must be "significantly reduced".
It said it would work constructively with all WTO membersto reach full modalities in agriculture by end of the week.
"It will be necessary to achieve effective cuts in the overall trade distorting domestic subsidies, taking into account the change in pattern of world prices and its impact on current level of domestic support subsidies," a G-20 communique said here ahead of the of the mini-Ministerialmeeting for reaching a consensus on the Doha Round.
Reaffirming their unity, the G-20 said developed nations are responsible for distortions and restrictions inagriculture trade.
"At this critical juncture of... the global economy, developed countries must show they are prepared to live up to their responsibilities of reform by delivering on the mandate for substantial reductions in trade distorting domestic support, substantial improvement in market access andelimination of export agriculture negotiations," it said.
On the issue of market access for agricultural products, the alliance said developed countries must deliver an outcome that fulfills the Doha mandate for substantial improvement inmarket access.
"The formula for tariff cuts must be ambitious, particularly on the top band and the minimum average cut of 54 percent must be respected in line with the G-20 proposal. The tariff capping must be effective and apply for both sensitiveand non-sensitive products," it said.
The alliance said Special Products (farm items not covered for tariff cuts) and Special Safeguard Mechanism are vital in addressing the food security, rural development andlivelihood concerns of developing countries.
The ministers and senior officials of G-20 emphasised the need for maintaining balance within and between different areas of negotiations in line with the principle of specialand differential treatment.
Calling for correction in the proposals of the draft text on agriculture, the G-20 said number of flexibilities for developed countries in the current draft modalities are intended to preserve distorting policy space in domesticsupport and market access and must be "significantly reduced".
It said it would work constructively with all WTO membersto reach full modalities in agriculture by end of the week.
