Farm and food challenge for India at WTO ministerial talks

According to the current draught texts shared among member nations, India may not have much to look forward to at the World Trade Organization (WTOupcoming )’s ministerial conference in agriculture.

Experts believe that any significant resolution for India will be difficult due to the lack of movement on its core demands, particularly a permanent solution to public stockholding.

The agriculture negotiations in Geneva are centred on three broad agendas: a draught proclamation on food commodity security, an exemption from export limits on WFP purchase, and a text on agricultural decisions. At the time, these do not include India’s main demands.

Only by next ministerial meeting can a lasting solution on pubic stocking for food production be reached, according to the draught text.

“We are actively participating in the ministerial debates on agriculture. We are hoping for a positive resolution that addresses India’s concerns. In the following days, we must see if a compromise can be achieved. According to a government official, the current text is “unbalanced.”

After a four-year hiatus, the WTO minister conference will take place on June 12-15. “The amended draught does not accommodate all of the criticisms from members, since some viewpoints are too far apart to be reconciled,” stated Minister Gloria Abraham Peralta (Costa Rica), who chairs the agriculture negotiations.

The revised draught texts laid the groundwork for a practical solution that might lead future negotiations beyond the Ministerial Meeting while also effectively addressing to the current food crisis.” The texts will be changed again, taking into account member country feedback.

Member did not impose exporting prohibitions or limitations on goods acquired for quasi humanitarian purposes by the WFP, according to a draught resolution on UN World Food Programme acquisitions.

India, on the other hand, wants the World Trade Organization to authorise exports from public inventories for global food aid, such as on a federal govt basis.

“Member countries can temporarily implement export prohibitions or limitations under the relevant WTO regulations to prevent critical shortage of foodstuffs or other products crucial to the country,” a government official said.

“Under the rules of the associated WTO standards, member countries can temporarily implement export prohibitions or limitations to avoid critical shortages of foodstuffs or other essential goods,” a government official explained.

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