The circulation of the document follows two weeks of intensive, text-based discussions among members following the circulation of the first draft text on 27 January. The Chair acknowledged that, while progress had been achieved in the drafting sessions, members' negotiating positions remain divergent on several issues.

“The final outcome is dependent on WTO members working together to address the outstanding issues and make the necessary compromises,” he said. 

During a special meeting of the General Council on 14 February, the Chair highlighted three key areas requiring in his view political guidance. These are: 1) the way forward regarding the negotiations on public stockholding programmes for food security, by which developing countries  buy food at government-set prices for public stocks; 2) the balance across all negotiating topics, including timelines for further work, expected outcomes by MC14, and the extent to which instructions to negotiators provide specific details; and 3) the possible immediate outcomes that could help people in the most vulnerable countries, such as the least developed countries and net food-importing developing countries.

While the Chair said he has no plans for further meetings before MC13, he offered the possibility of bilateral meetings for all interested members to help with preparations for MC13.    He also stands ready to bring WTO members together in a bigger setting if they consider doing so would be useful in achieving progress.

“I acknowledge the ongoing efforts by members to narrow the gaps and build convergence towards an agreed outcome at MC13, including by streamlining the text,” the Chair said, adding that he remains available to support these efforts if members wish.  

The Chair also circulated a document, JOB/AG/259, containing the compilation of members' textual suggestions and proposed annexes.

The Chair's revised text is available here.

More

The WTO's agriculture negotiations encompass various topics, including domestic support, market access, export competition, export restrictions, cotton, public stockholding for food security purposes, the special safeguard mechanism and the cross-cutting issue of transparency.

More on the WTO agriculture negotiations: WTO | Agriculture — negotiations

A glossary of WTO agriculture negotiations terms can be found at this link: WTO | Glossary by Subject

Subscribe to “News Harvest”, the WTO’s monthly food and farm policy trade news round-up.