Canada leads fight against export subsidies, low farm incomes
August 30, 1999
BUENOS AIRES, Aug 29 /CNW/ via NewsEdge Corporation -- Canadian farmers struggling under historically low prices for their goods would benefit greatly from the level international playing field aggressively sought by Canada at a Cairns Group meeting that wrapped up here today.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lyle Vanclief put forward to member Ministers the strong Canadian negotiating position announced August 19 for the upcoming World Trade Organization (WTO) talks in Seattle this November.
``Canada has taken the lead among the major players by developing and announcing its initial position,' Mr. Vanclief said. ``Members of the Cairns Group recognized the leadership shown by the Canadian government and industry in pushing for the end of subsidies which are damaging the livelihoods of so many farmers, in Canada and around the world.
``I'm encouraged that all the 15 members of the Cairns Group share the goal of eliminating and banning export subsidies. We believe it is an achievable objective in these negotiations,' the Minister said.
Canadian Federation of Agriculture president Bob Friesen, here leading a delegation to the parallel meeting of farm groups from the Cairns Group countries, said farmers share the government's goals in the next round of world trade talks.
``Farmers support the push for rules-based trade reform,' Mr. Friesen said. ``We need to get rid of export subsidies, reduce trade-distorting domestic support to the maximum extent and achieve better access for our products, including clean and equitable minimum access commitments. Most of all, everyone - and I mean everyone - has to play by the same rules.'
The Canadian position, developed after two years of consultation with industry and the provinces, aims at eliminating export subsidies, substantially reducing trade-damaging domestic support, and improving market access, especially for food products. The government also remains committed to maintaining the country's domestic orderly marketing systems.
The Cairns Group of agricultural exporting nations consists of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Fiji, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Paraguay, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand and Uruguay. The group aims to play a major role in the next round of WTO talks.
The meeting in Buenos Aires wrapped up a week-long mission led by Mr. Vanclief to open important markets in Brazil and Argentina, as well as support industry at the SIAL-Mercosur food trade show. With Canadian exhibitors and SIAL officials, Mr. Vanclief announced the choice of Montreal as the site of the new North American SIAL in 2001.
More information including Mr. Vanclief's opening Cairns speech and photos, is available on the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada website at www.agr.ca
/For further information: Sylvie Millette LeDuc, Press Secretary, Minister Vanclief's Office, Ottawa, (613) 759-1761/ |
