Ministers at the 22nd Cairns Group Ministerial Meeting in Punta del Este, Uruguay, reaffirmed the Group's strong commitment to establish a fair and market-oriented agricultural trading system.

Australian Trade Minister Mark Vaile, Chairman of the Group, said the Cairns Group was more united and determined than ever to push for agricultural reform.  "After fifteen years of working for reform in agricultural trade, it still remains subject to systematic discrimination, with average tariffs on agricultural products more than ten times greater than tariffs on industrial products.  The global trading system faces a troubled future if it continues to discriminate against a significant section of its membership," Mr Vaile said.

Mr Vaile welcomed the participation in the meeting of special guests from the United States and from Kenya.  "We had constructive dialogues with US Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman and US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick, and Kenya's Minister for Trade and Industry Nicholas Biwott.

"The presence of these special guests bears testament to the success of the Cairns Group as a lobby in the WTO.  Importantly, Secretary Veneman and Ambassador Zoellick confirmed that the United States sought an ambitious approach to the agriculture negotiations and saw itself as a 'natural partner' for the Cairns Group in this process," Mr Vaile said.

Mr Vaile said the Group - 14 of which are developing countries - highlighted the particular importance of agricultural reform to the developing world.  "We confirmed in our discussions with Minister Biwott that better market access conditions in a world free of trade-distorting subsidies are essential for promoting development and eliminating poverty in developing countries," Mr Vaile said.

Cairns Group Ministers established their objectives for the Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference in Doha, Qatar, next November.  "Our communique sets out clearly the Group's five key requirements for the text on agriculture, should a new WTO round of trade negotiations be launched in Doha," noted Mr Vaile.

These requirements include a clear commitment to end discrimination against agriculture and fully integrate it into WTO rules, and to achieve fundamental reform of agricultural trade through elimination of all forms of export subsidies, substantial improvement in market access and substantial reduction of domestic support.

"Another highlight of the meeting was our session with Cairns Group Farm Leaders on 5 September," Mr Vaile said.  "Industry plays a key role in pushing for free trade in agriculture, and we discussed with the Farm Leaders how we can work together to promote agricultural trade reform."

• Communique - 22nd Ministerial Meeting, Punta del Este, Uruguay, 3-5 September 2001