TWN Info Service on Sustainable Agriculture
1 June 2022
Third World Network

WTO:  DG's "best endeavour" decision on trade & food security for MC12
Published in SUNS #9586 dated 1 June 2022

Geneva, 31 May (D. Ravi Kanth) -  The draft ministerial declaration on trade and food security issued by the WTO Director-General Ms Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on 30 May contains "best endeavour" language without any binding commitments, said people familiar with the development.

Moreover, the DG's proposed language in the draft text, seen by the SUNS, allows countries to do what they deem fit to address the issue of trade and food security.

The full text of the draft declaration, which will be discussed at the Doha agriculture negotiating body meeting on 1 June, is as follows:

"Draft Ministerial Declaration on Trade and Food Security

Concerned that trade disruptions, record prices and excessive volatility for food and agricultural products could undermine food security in all Members, particularly least-developed and net food-importing developing countries and who by virtue of their fiscal and other capacity-related challenges, as well as deteriorating terms of trade, are disproportionately affected by the crisis;

Concerned also that rising prices and export restrictions on food, agricultural products and production inputs, including fertilizers could have lasting consequences for global food security in the coming years;

Determined to make progress towards the achievement of a fair and market-oriented agricultural trading system, ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture and food systems, in fulfilment of Sustainable Development Goal 2 of the United Nations;

Acknowledging that progress towards this Goal has been undermined with the FAO estimating that the global number of undernourished people potentially increasing by 8 to 13 million in 2022-2023;

1. We, the Ministers, have met in Geneva from 12 to 15 June 2022 at our Twelfth Session of the Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization, and have adopted this declaration on trade and food security.

2. We agree that trade along with domestic production, contributes positively to improving global food security in all its dimensions and to enhanced nutrition.

3. We commit to take concrete steps to facilitate trade and improve the functioning and long-term resilience of global markets for food, agriculture, fertilizers and other agriculture production inputs. Particular consideration will be given to the specific needs and circumstances of developing country Members, especially those of least-developed and net food-importing developing countries.

4. We underscore the need for allowing agri-food trade to flow and reaffirm the importance of not imposing export prohibitions or restrictions other than those stipulated in relevant WTO provisions.

5. We will endeavour to ensure that any emergency measures introduced to mitigate food security concerns should be as least trade distorting as possible, temporary, targeted, and proportionate and notified in accordance with the relevant WTO rules. Members imposing such measures should take into account their possible impact on other Members, particularly least-developed and net food-importing developing countries.

6. We resolve to cooperate with a view to ensuring enhanced productivity, trade, availability, accessibility and affordability of food for those who need it, especially in humanitarian emergencies. In that regard, we have agreed to exempt purchases of food by the World Food Programme (WFP) for humanitarian purposes from export restrictions pursuant to [...].

7. We reaffirm the provisions on International Food Aid contained in the Nairobi Decision on Export Competition and encourage donor countries to undertake efforts to make food available to poor and vulnerable countries, including through the WFP.

8. We reaffirm the importance of effective implementation and monitoring of the Marrakech Decision on Measures Concerning the Possible Negative Effects of the Reform Programme on Least-Developed and Net Food-Importing Developing Countries within the Regular Committee on Agriculture pursuant to Article 16 of the Agreement on Agriculture.

9. We recognize that food stocks can contribute to the realization of Members' food security objectives. We encourage Members with available surplus stocks to release them on international markets consistently with WTO rules.

10. We emphasize the importance of promptly sharing relevant information about policies that may affect trade and markets for food and agriculture, including by complying with WTO notification commitments and by actively participating in other relevant mechanisms for information exchange. We invite the Secretariat to provide regular updates on trade and market developments in the wake of the current food crisis in cooperation with other relevant international organizations.

11. We acknowledge the positive role of the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) in enhancing food market transparency and policy responses for food security.

12. With these considerations in mind, we reaffirm our commitment to intensify our negotiations pursuant to Article 20 of the Agreement on Agriculture to fulfil the objectives set out in its Preamble in accordance with the Ministerial Decision on Agriculture we have adopted at this Session."

It appears to be a rather "fungible" outcome that countries can use as they see fit for addressing food security, said people, who asked not to be quoted.