WTO Negotiations | Ag Secretary Veneman Pleased With U.S. - EU Farm Trade Re...

WTO Negotiations

 

Ag Secretary Veneman Pleased With U.S. - EU Farm Trade Reform Proposal

 

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman stated Wednesday that “we are pleased that we have been able to significantly narrow our differences with the EU in the WTO agricultural negotiations and to agree upon a framework to guide further negotiations that develops key concepts and formulas, with specific numbers still to be determined.”

 

The U.S. and European Union agreed on a joint framework proposal for farm trade reform Wednesday that could help move forward stalled World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations before next month's key meeting in Cancun, Mexico. The two giant agriculture producers, which had previously been unable to find common ground in their own agriculture proposals, presented a three-page proposal to other WTO members containing a “blended” approach for market access and differential treatment for export subsidies. The plan still needs approval from EU member states, but EU ambassador to the WTO Carlo Trojan said an agreement with the U.S. had been made in principle.

 

“We were asked by the WTO leadership to try to reach accord with the EU so that agricultural and other negotiations could move forward," added Veneman. "We have responded, and now appeal to the other WTO members to show similar leadership and flexibility as we near the Cancun Ministerial meeting.”

 

  Beef Export Verification (BEV)   Agriculture Ocean Transportation Coalition (AgOTC) - Ocean Transportation Issues.   USMEF Board of Directors Meeting - November 5-7, 2003
Hilton El Conquistador Resort, Tucson, Arizona   BOD Sponsorship Form and BOD Reminder Postcard For more information on BOD Sponsorship, please e-mail John Hinners, Membership Director, at jhinners@usmef.org

WTO Negotiations

 

Ag Secretary Veneman Pleased With U.S. - EU Farm Trade Reform Proposal

 

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman stated Wednesday that “we are pleased that we have been able to significantly narrow our differences with the EU in the WTO agricultural negotiations and to agree upon a framework to guide further negotiations that develops key concepts and formulas, with specific numbers still to be determined.”

 

The U.S. and European Union agreed on a joint framework proposal for farm trade reform Wednesday that could help move forward stalled World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations before next month’s key meeting in Cancun, Mexico. The two giant agriculture producers, which had previously been unable to find common ground in their own agriculture proposals, presented a three-page proposal to other WTO members containing a “blended” approach for market access and differential treatment for export subsidies. The plan still needs approval from EU member states, but EU ambassador to the WTO Carlo Trojan said an agreement with the U.S. had been made in principle.

 

“We were asked by the WTO leadership to try to reach accord with the EU so that agricultural and other negotiations could move forward," added Veneman. "We have responded, and now appeal to the other WTO members to show similar leadership and flexibility as we near the Cancun Ministerial meeting.”

 

  Beef Export Verification (BEV)   Agriculture Ocean Transportation Coalition (AgOTC) - Ocean Transportation Issues.   USMEF Board of Directors Meeting - November 5-7, 2003
Hilton El Conquistador Resort, Tucson, Arizona   BOD Sponsorship Form and BOD Reminder Postcard For more information on BOD Sponsorship, please e-mail John Hinners, Membership Director, at jhinners@usmef.org