21 July 2008
Cairns Group Urges Ambitious Reforms on Agriculture
The Minister for Trade, Simon Crean, today (20 July) chaired a Ministerial Meeting of the Cairns Group, on the eve of negotiations on a Doha Round package on agriculture in Geneva.
The 19-member Cairns Group coalition has called for wide-ranging reform to agricultural trade in the current Doha Round of world trade talks.
“The Group was united in its call for a good strong outcome to this week’s talks”, Mr Crean said.
“We all want a successful conclusion to these negotiations. The Group is convinced that an agreement is within our grasp.”
“It must be a high quality agreement – the Group was united in its message that there can be no outcome to the Round without a substantial package of reforms on agriculture.”
“The Cairns Group has a strong record of setting the agenda for agricultural trade reform in the Doha Round – and will continue to do so again this week”.
“The Group has been at the forefront of efforts to secure substantially improved market access, to eliminate all forms of export subsidies and to make deep cuts to trade distorting farm subsidies.
“Having set the agenda, we have resolved to drive home this advantage in coming days.
“We are determined to work together closely this week to ensure we are well coordinated in the discussions”.
- Communiqué issued by Cairns Group Ministers at the conclusion of their meeting
Media Inquiries: Mr Crean's office 02 6277 7420 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555