WTO Agriculture Negotiations Miss Deadline - Bugger!

Although not surprised, TLN Executive Director, Suse Reynolds said the failure of negotiators in Geneva to agree on a framework for agriculture by the 31 March deadline was deeply disappointing.

"It's a real blow for New Zealand farmers. The last trade round literally delivered thousands of dollars into Kiwi bank accounts," Reynolds said.

"We expect the Doha Round to do the same, but it is obviously not going to be an easy process."

OECD countries spend a billion dollars a day subsidising agriculture.

"These policies not only cost New Zealand farmers but do developing countries out of a living and actually even harm consumers in the countries where the money is being spent. Those consumers are spending thousands of dollars more on food than they should because agricultural subsidies artificially raise prices."

Agricultural protectionists should not take any comfort from the missed deadline said Reynolds.

"It should be seen as a signal than meaningful reform of the global agriculture trading system will be achieved through the Doha development agenda" she concluded.

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