Archive - fev 24, 2006 - Article

A week-long series of meetings on agriculture on 13-17 February at the WTO did not result in more convergence on the issues covered, although positions of various countries or groupings were further clarified.

A new proposal was tabled last week on an accelerated programme for reducing domestic support for cotton by the four West African countries that are co-sponsors of the sectoral initiative in favour of cotton.

I. WHAT IS LEFT TO DECIDE?; II. THE PROCESS: modalities, schedules and timelines; III. AGRICULTURE AND NAMA: pushing for convergence; IV. SERVICES: preparing for the onslaught; V. IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER; VI. DOCUMENTS

Brazil is more than willing to come forward with an improved offer on reducing tariffs for industrials beyond its 54 percent cut already announced if the European Union improves its stance on agricultural market access and the United States further reduces its own domestic farm supports, said Brasilia's chief trade negotiator in Geneva yesterday.