Viability of alternative frameworks for agricultural trade negotiations

Summary

This project will identify and examine new options for the negotiation of agreements on agriculture within the WTO that would: ‣ Be within the ‘precincts’ of WTO but outside the ‘single undertaking’ of Members ‣ Be more ambitious than the Agreements proposed in the Doha Round ‣ Cover a large proportion of the effective global agricultural market without a priori exceptions ‣ Introduce progressive, sustained reform of all markets with no more than marginal differentiation to account for specific adjustment problems (i.e. identified positive S&D) ‣ Be based on reciprocal and enforceable obligations possibly enforced through the WTO dispute settlement mechanism or a procedure aligned to the WTO DS procedures ‣ Include, potentially, agreements on any identified impediment to trade exchange including ‘trade facilitation’ impediments ‣ Not discriminate with respect to nonMembers of the Agreement possibly or, at a minimum, guarantee ‘no adverse impact’ on current rights for nonMembers

Program

National Rural Issues

Research Organisation

The University of Adelaide

Objective Summary

This project aims to identify viable alternatives to the current approach to agricultural trade negotiations in the hope that a way will be found to unblock progress and open the way to future economic development opportunities based on open market access and the reform of damaging subsidy policies.