Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
License needed for work use Register

World Video | Defence | Foreign Affairs | Natural Events | Trade | NZ in World News | NZ National News Video | NZ Regional News | Search

 

EU “Flexibility” Proposal Conflicts with Doha

NEWS RELEASE

EU “Flexibility” Proposal Conflicts with Doha Mandate for Agricultural Market Access

Friday October 7, 2005 – The Global Alliance for Liberalized Trade in Food and Agriculture is urging Ministers and Negotiators meeting next week in Zurich and Geneva to reject the “flexibility pivot” for market access proposed by the European Union. Work is urgently needed to develop a more constructive approach that results in “substantial improvements in market access” as mandated by the Doha Declaration on agriculture negotiations.

The EU proposes that flexibility be injected into the tiered tariff reduction formula by allowing smaller tariff cuts for some products while compensating with higher cuts for others. “This is a direct attempt to continue to protect EU products within the tariff reduction formula in addition to the ability to designate other products as sensitive,” said Jenny Burt, Chair of the Consortium for Free Choice in Trade. “This ‘double-dipping’ in protectionism will mean that the EU and other WTO member countries will not really be required to improve access to markets. That is unacceptable.”

The EU’s pivot proposal is particularly ineffective for tariffs in the mid ranges. The minimum cut in the 20% to 50% band is 30%, and 40% in the next band up (tariffs bound at between 50% and 60%). Most EU tariffs lie in these lower bands.

“Tariff cuts in these ranges won’t even get at the ‘water’ between bound and applied tariffs,” said Earl Rattray, Chairman of the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand. “The Doha mandate is ‘substantial improvements in market access.’ Cutting the water out of tariffs will not result in any new access at all, and will not serve developed or developing countries in the future.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

All WTO member countries have committed to the Doha Mandate for agriculture and to the work program built on the mandate in August, 2004. Member/Supporters of the Global Alliance call on all WTO member countries to honour this commitment by agreeing to rules that will result in real and meaningful market access, substantial cuts in trade distorting domestic support, and early elimination of all forms of export subsidies.

The Global Alliance for Liberalized Trade in Food and Agriculture includes 42 organizations in the agriculture and food sectors in 27 countries spanning all five continents. The Global Alliance supports the liberalization of international trade as an instrument of growth and prosperity for the world’s producers, consuming industries and consumers.

For the full statement on which the Global Alliance is founded, as well as a list of supporters, go to

www.foodtrade.org or www.cafta.org/Global%20Alliance%20Declaration%20English.pdf


ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
World Headlines

 
UN News: Aid Access Is Key Priority

Among the key issues facing diplomats is securing the release of a reported 199 Israeli hostages, seized during the Hamas raid. “History is watching,” says Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths. “This war was started by taking those hostages. Of course, there's a history between Palestinian people and the Israeli people, and I'm not denying any of that. But that act alone lit a fire, which can only be put out with the release of those hostages.” More

Save The Children: Four Earthquakes In a Week Leave Thousands Homeless

Families in western Afghanistan are reeling after a fourth earthquake hit Herat Province, crumbling buildings and forcing people to flee once again, with thousands now living in tents exposed to fierce winds and dust storms. The latest 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit 30 km outside of Herat on Sunday, shattering communities still reeling from strong and shallow aftershocks. More

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.