EU is second to circular timeline for grandfathering farm export subsidy
By TIOL News Service
GENEVA, OCT 24, 2017: COMPLYING with the WTO's landmark decision to eliminate farm export subsidies, the EU has circulated a new schedule just before the meeting of the WTO’s Committee on Agriculture.
The chair of the committee, Alf Vederhus (Norway), noted that the EU became the second WTO member with export subsidies reduction commitments after Australia to formally initiate the process aimed at implementing the landmark 2015 Nairobi Ministerial Decision to eliminate export subsidies. The changes will take effect in three months if no members raise any objections during that period.
Under the 2015 Decision, WTO members agreed to abolish agricultural export subsidies and set disciplines on export measures with equivalent effect, levelling the playing field for farmers around the world.
Canada informed the committee that it is currently engaged in internal procedures to modify its schedule of commitments to implement the 2015 Decision. Canada said it expects to submit its draft revised schedule later this fall.
Members also exchanged information on their farm policy practices during the 17-18 October committee meeting. Seven new issues were raised at the meeting. The questions and answers to each query can be found in the Agriculture Information Management System (AG IMS).
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