Food security issue will be main course at World Trade Organization meet

During the four-day meet, India wants the multi-lateral body to deliberate on pending issues of the Doha Round and deliverables of the Bali package, including issues of the least developed countries. “Focus of the deliberations will include issues relating to continuance of the Doha negotiating mandate; finding a permanent solution to the issue of public stock holding for food security; special safeguard measures,” an official said.

The negotiations, launched at the Qatari capital in 2001 and known as the Doha Round, has missed several deadlines for conclusion due to wide differences over the issue of giving protection to poor farmers and the extent to open the markets for industrial goods. India has reiterated that members have spent over a decade on the Doha Round and it should not be kept hanging. 

The Doha Round negotiations are stalled since July 2008 due to differences between the rich and the developing nations mainly over the issue of subsidy being given to farmers. India has clearly expressed that the Doha mandate should not be re-opened; nor should there be any cherry-picking of issues from the Doha Development Agenda or introduction of new issues that only served the commercial interests of a few developed countries. For a permanent solution, India had proposed either amending the formula to calculate the food subsidy cap of 10 per cent, which is based on the reference price of 1986-88, or allowing such schemes outside the purview of subsidy caps.

In a letter to WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo, Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has encouraged WTO members to show their political will and necessary flexibilities to deliver a successful outcome. Azevedo too has urged WTO members to show the flexibility and political will for a successful Ministerial Conference. The G-33 group, which includes India and Indonesia, has been demanding the “special safeguard mechanism” which provides the right to deal with the sudden surge in imports.