27. The
Consultation was advised of FAO’s active role since its inception in matters related
to international commodity trade as part of its mandate to cover all aspects of food
production, consumption, trade and prices. These activities had included advice and
support to international negotiations. The FAO Secretariat provided advice to member
countries which participated in the UR negotiations, as well as providing technical
support to developing countries particularly in regard to decisions on measures concerning
the possible negative effects on least-developed countries and net-food importing
developing countries.
28. The Consultation was informed that since the
conclusion of the UR, FAO had undertaken a number of technical assistance activities
including regional workshops and national training seminars related to the impact of the
Round and the need for follow-up action. In order to assist developing countries in
preparing for the forthcoming new Round of Negotiations, the FAO Secretariat had initiated
an "Umbrella Programme for Training on Uruguay Round and Future Multilateral Trade
Negotiations on Agriculture".
29. To date, the programme had involved the preparation
of training modules, examining the implications of the URA, and indicating issues which
might be likely to arise in the course of the "Millennium Round", particularly
those of concern to developing countries. For the present Consultation, the FAO
Secretariat had compiled a reference guide incorporating selected extracts from the
thirteen modules so far prepared. Three in particular dealing with "Continuing the
Reform Process in Agriculture", "Special and Differential Treatment" and
"Tariff Rate Quotas" were reproduced in full. The reference guide also included
an annex providing tariff rates for sugar and the UR commitments in selected ACP
countries.
