ADVISORY CONSULTATION ON ACP SUGAR POLICY AND TRADE

13-14 September 1999 (M'babane, Swaziland)

INTRODUCTION

The Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture provides for the continuation of the reform process in agriculture in Article 20 which states inter alia that members agree that negotiations for continuing the process will be initiated one year before the end of the implementation period, i.e. before 31 December 1999. In fact, the World Trade Organization's Third Ministerial Conference, scheduled to be held 30 November to 3 December 1999, in Seattle, Washington will launch the next round of multilateral trade negotiations due to start early in 2000.

Since the conclusion of the Uruguay Round (UR) FAO has undertaken a number of technical assistance activities including regional workshops and national training seminars related to the impact of the UR and the need for follow-up action. Bearing in mind that the new round is due to commence the FAO Secretariat has initiated an "Umbrella Programme for Training on Uruguay Round and Future Multilateral Trade Negotiations on Agriculture" which has so far involved the preparation of training modules examining the implications of the UR to date and indicating issues which may be likely to arise in the course of the "Millennium Round", particularly of concern to developing countries.

There are currently 13 modules covering most aspects relevant to the negotiations in agriculture. Three in particular, dealing with "Continuing the Reform Process in Agriculture: Article 20 Issues", with "Special and Differential Treatment" and with "Tariff Rate Quotas" are reproduced in full. These provide a broad overall view of major issues and summarize certain provisions which it is hoped will assist developing countries in identifying particular issues which may be most appropriate for special attention. For the other ten modules selected extracts are reproduced which highlight significant points of relevance to the forthcoming negotiations.

Copies of individual or of the full set of modules prepared to date may be obtained directly by contacting the Office of the Director, Commodities and Trade Division (ESC), FAO, Rome.

Finally, a glossary of most frequently used acronyms is included as well as an annex of tariff rates for sugar and Uruguay Round commitments in selected ACP countries.

Full Document in PDF

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 INTRODUCTION        

The basic principles of the GATT

Continuing the Reform Process in Agriculture: Article 20 Issues     

Special and Differential Treatment                                     

Domestic Support Measures (selected extracts)               

Preparing for Negotiating Further Reductions of Bound Tariffs (selected extracts)

Export Subsidies (selected extracts)                                     

Market Access - Tariffs and other access (selected extracts)  

Market Access II: Tariff Rate Quotas (selected extracts)   

Safeguard Measures (selected extracts)                             

Dispute Settlement (selected extracts)                          

Decision Measures Concerning Possible Negative Effects on LDC's, NFIDC's (selected extracts)                                                

Trade and Food Security: Options for Developing Countries (selected extracts)        

Trade and the Environment (selected extracts)                                                   

GLOSSARY OF SELECTED ACRONYMS                                                 

ANNEX - TARIFF RATES FOR SUGAR AND URUGUAY ROUND COMMITMENTS FOR SELECTED ACP COUNTRIES 62