India not to compromise on right to food security at WTO Bali meet: Commerce Minister

02 Dec 2013 Evaluate

Ahead of crucial World Trade Organization (WTO) Inter ministerial meeting in Bali this week, the government has made it clear that during WTO’s ,meet, it will not compromise its stance on food security of poor and support to marginal farmers even if subsidy limits are breached. The government is sending a 30 member delegation, headed by Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, to attend the meeting.

Commerce Minister has said that concerns over the food security are non-negotiable and the country will secure and protect the right to food security of poor people and the right to sustenance of farmers.  By adding further, Anand Sharma said that India will engage with WTO members for fair and balanced outcome, which addresses the concerns of developing countries adequately, especially on food security. Meanwhile, the Commerce Minister is likely to face strong head winds in WTO’s meet as developed countries like US and Canada have raised concerns that food stockpile exercise of India and other developing nations to implement food security plans will breach the 10 percent subsidy cap under the WTO's Agreement on Agriculture (AoA). On the other hand, India expressed the need for amendment in AoA citing that it was calculated on price band of 1986-88 and is not relevant in the current situation.

WTO has suggested a four-year 'peace clause' as an interim solution and during this period no WTO member will attract penalty even if 10 percent cap is broken. India has strongly rejected the interim solution and has demanded a permanent solution to the issue. The country is of the view that interim solution means interim solution until a permanent solution is put in place and expects that all countries to commit for negotiating all issues for a permanent solution in coming WTO meeting.

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