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TWN
Info Service on WTO and Trade Issues (Jun22/14) We are pleased to share with you our attached latest analysis on: Agriculture and Food Security Negotiations Text at WTO MC12: Implications for Developing Countries Summary: The World Trade Organization (WTO) is hosting its Twelfth Ministerial Conference (MC12) on 12 – 15 June 2022. Agriculture and food security issues have always remained a key concern for developing countries and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), but perhaps never before has it been of such critical importance as now. In this context, the negotiations on agriculture and food security leading up to MC12 assume great significance. The WTO leadership and the developed countries have continued to harp on keeping trade open. But the recommendations avoid the necessary review of the very inequitable trade rules especially with regard to domestic support instituted by the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA), measures to strengthen existing mechanisms for resilience building and provide the trade policy space that can help maximise and diversify agricultural production across developing countries and LDCs. The question is which are the deliverables on the table and whether these can meet the needs of developing countries. Currently, there are three tracks under these negotiations: (a) “Draft Ministerial Declaration on Trade and Food Security”; (b) “Draft Ministerial Decision on Agriculture”; and (c) “Draft Ministerial Decision on World Food Programme Food Purchases Exemption from Export Prohibitions or Restrictions”. This analysis provides a summary of the three tracks and flags gains and concerns for developing countries and LDCs. With best wishes, Third World Network
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