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G/AG/NG/8

Committee on Agriculture
Special Session

Eighth Special Session of the Committee on Agriculture

Report by the Chairperson, Ambassador Apiradi Tantraporn, to the General Council

1. The Special Session of the Committee on Agriculture, which was established by the General Council to conduct the negotiations for continuing the reform process under Article 20 of the Agreement on Agriculture (WT/GC/M/53, paragraph 39 refers), held its eighth meeting on 28 September 2001 on the basis of the agenda as set out in WTO/AIR/1612.

2. The meeting provided an opportunity for reviewing the work being carried out under the programme for the second phase of the negotiations. Under this programme in-depth work is being carried out in informal Special Sessions on all issues and options for policy reform set out in Members’ proposals, with further elaboration as appropriate (G/AG/NG/7, dated 29 March 2001, refers). An overview presented by the Chairperson summarized the discussions at the informal Special Sessions held in May, July and September on the following trade and non-trade issues: (i) tariff quota administration; (ii) tariffs; (iii) Amber Box; (iv) export subsidies; (v) export credits; (vi) state trading enterprises; (vii) export restrictions; (ix) food security; (x) food safety; (xi) rural development; (xii) geographical indications; (xiii) Green Box; (xiv) Blue Box; and (xv) special agricultural safeguard. This overview will be included in the Secretariat summary report on the meeting (to be issued as G/AG/NG/R/8). The elaborated proposals and other informal papers submitted at these three informal Special Sessions are listed in the attachment to this report.

3. The following trade or non-trade issues are to be taken up at the next informal Special Session meeting on 3-5 December: environment, trade preferences, food aid, consumer information and labelling, and sectoral initiatives.

4. The next formal Special Session is scheduled to be held on 7 December 2001.

 
 
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