IPC encouraged by new momentum
in Doha Round negotiations
The Cairns Group Ministers, as well as several non-Cairns Group participants including China, the EC, India, Japan and the U.S. at their June ministerial, reaffirmed the importance of reaching a conclusion of the Doha Round, and expressed their hope for progress on the agricultural negotiations in particular.
They rightly pointed out that concluding the Doha Round would deliver a much-needed contribution to economic recovery and demonstrate the benefits of the multilateral trading system. This is an important political declaration, which will hopefully be echoed at other upcoming high-level international meetings. “We welcome the new political momentum,” stated International Food and Agricultural Trade Policy Council Chairman Carlo Trojan, “and hope that it will be matched by technical progress in the negotiations.”
For political declarations to be meaningful, they must be accompanied by serious work among trade negotiators. A “two-track approach,” as suggested by World Trade Organization Director General Lamy, is sensible. A great deal of progress has been made in the agricultural modalities and parties need to continue to resolve outstanding differences. At the same time, however, WTO members should provide greater clarity on how they would likely apply the modalities, in particular the flexibility provided within them.
In the wake of last year’s food crisis, many countries quickly resorted to protectionist measures to ensure domestic food supplies. And, in the wake of the financial crisis, countries have adopted inward-looking policies.
