WTO Agricultural Trade Negotiations Chair Releases Draft Text for Farm Trade Deal

Costa Rican Ambassador Gloria Abraham Peralta, who chairs negotiations on agricultural trade at the World Trade Organization, released a draft text July 29 to push for consensus on areas to secure a farm trade deal at the 12th Ministerial Conference beginning in late November. The text highlighted domestic support, market access, export restrictions, export competition, cotton, public stockholding for food security, a safeguard mechanism and transparency. “The text takes into account the range of views that have been expressed by Members and seeks to chart a way forward with this in mind. It represents my honest effort to identify potential ‘landing zones,'” Peralta said. “It's not meant to be perfect or summarize all views. But it is a tool for you to engage with one another in a constructive exchange.”

The text seeks consensus on two main items relating to export restrictions: exemptions for World Food Programme humanitarian food buys and enhanced compliance with notification requirements under Article 12 of the Agreement on Agriculture. Peralta also proposed a new special safeguard mechanism to allow developing nations to temporarily hike tariffs if a sudden surge in import volumes arises.