NEW DELHI: The draft text released by the WTO Secretariat for the Hong Kong Ministerial has made it clear that the full modalities relating to agriculture are unlikely to be sorted out at the coming meeting, according to G.K. Pillai, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce.

Addressing a stakeholder consultation workshop jointly organised by the South Asian Network for Social and Agricultural Development (SANSAD), the National Centre for Advocacy Studies (NCAS) and the `Wada Na Todo Abhiyan' here on Friday, Mr. Pillai said that in the event, the agriculture-related modalities were likely to be shifted to April-June next year for consultation.

Subsidies consistent

R. B. Singh, Member, National Commission on Farmers, pointed out that domestic subsidies given by the OECD countries had remained consistent at 45-50 per cent. The Commerce Ministry, he said, must make serious efforts to remove such domestic support that was distorting trade and hurting livelihoods. He said India should take advantage of `Special and Differential' provisions and not ask for a `livelihood box.' India, he said, should oppose outright the U.S. proposal to bring back the `due restraint' or `peace clause,' which restrains countries from filing cases before the WTO Dispute Settlement Body against the adverse effects of such domestic farm subsidies extended by the OECD nations.

Redesign ground rules

Biswajit Dhar from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade said civil society organisations need to ensure that there was no last minute deal at the WTO Ministerial, which will be against the country's interests. He said there was a need to redesign the ground rules for trade in agriculture post the Hong Kong Ministerial. "We need effective rules to prevent the United States and the European Union from taking unilateral action against countries."

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