Member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO) have identified a set of broad issues for continuing negotiations on agricultural issues and have emphasized the importance of agricultural issues for developing countries.
The Nairobi decision to eliminate agriculture export subsidies was been an important step forward. The Ministerial Decision on Cotton has also been identified as a significant step forward in the negotiations, though further work is needed.
The following issues have been identified for further negotiations:
• The special safeguard mechanism for developing countries and a permanent settlement of the issue of public stockholding;
• Reduction or elimination of domestic support for agriculture including cotton;
• Further opening of markets for agricultural products;
• Implementation the Ministerial Decision on Export Competition and discussion of further work in this area;
• Negotiation of a wider range of agricultural issues as part of the wider reform agenda; and
• Other agricultural issues such as export restrictions or subsidies for bio-fuel and bio-energy.
Member countries are being encouraged to produce information and data to shape the negotiation process going forward.
