Trade Minister, Mark Vaile, today welcomed the start of World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations on agriculture following the conclusion of the first substantive session in Geneva on March 23-24. "WTO members agreed to work throughout the remainder of 2000 to lodge detailed negotiating proposals outlining negotiating objectives and how to achieve them," Mr Vaile said. "This outcome is very much consistent with Australian and Cairns Group objectives." Mr Vaile said the business-like manner in which the meeting was conducted was also an encouraging sign that the WTO was back on track and focused on its principal objective of improving market access and export opportunities. "Unity among the Cairns Group of 18 agricultural traders that Australia chairs was a key factor in achieving our objectives for the meeting. "The Cairns Group agreed to lodge a series of detailed proposals during the course of this year that will help to keep a strong focus on the agricultural distortions that harm our farmers and agrifood industries. "Australia is committed to working with the Cairns Group and with the increasing number of developing countries who realise the importance of achieving real reductions in trade-distorting subsidies and better access for agricultural exports. "The road ahead will be challenging. Some WTO members vehemently oppose agriculture liberalisation, especially in the absence of a broader round of trade negotiations. But we have made an encouraging start and the Cairns Group will remain focused and united as we move forward with long overdue trade reform for agriculture." |
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