欧盟松口，将致力废除发达国家的农业补助

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Africa: U.S and EU Soften Stance, Commit to Scrap Farm Subsidies in Rich Countries

By Lilian Ochieng

The US and the European Union on Wednesday softened their stance, saying they fully support the removal of farm subsidies -- the contentious agenda from African countries at the ongoing WTO conference.

The EU Commissioner for agriculture and rural development Phil Hogan on Wednesday said that the EU called for the removal of subsidies on farmers in the developed countries at the WTO ministerial meeting in Hong Kong, 10 years ago.

"We were willing to stop subsidising our farmers (using export refunds) as part of a broader deal that would be adopted by other developed countries. Ten years later, we are waiting on other players on the world to react to this proposal," said Mr Hogan.

Since 2013, the EU has kept its pledge to cut subsidies on its farmers. The EU support to farmers, however, is not directly linked to production.

Mr Hogan said that the only support to farmers now ensures that they are in a position to reside in remote rural areas.

  
The support is also given to people, who want to create new job opportunities to the state's rural development programme.

EXPORT COMPETITION

The EU commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom added that the bloc is in full support of removal of all barriers to trade in African countries, especially the least developed ones.

She said that the EU supports the removal of the four pillars of export competition that distort trade; food aid, export refunds, export credits and state trading enterprises.

In general, the EU is looking to come out with a comprehensive package from the WTO talks, which favours both least developed countries as well as the developed ones.

"We are speaking on behalf of 28 countries, we are keen on contributing to a strong outcome of the Doha rounds in Nairobi, we are especially here to make sure Least Developed Countries also benefit from the negotiations," said Ms Malmstrom.

 
US Trade Representative Michael Froman said that America was welcome to a resolution of the contested issues in Nairobi.

Mr Froman exuded optimism that the WTO talks would achieve a "measured but meaningful outcome" particularly on the Doha proposals.

Reach a deal

"We are very focused on trying to achieve a measured but meaningful package of outcomes related to the Doha agenda, including around agriculture and also LDC-related issues. We are hopeful that we will be able to work with other parties," Mr Froman said.

He, however, said that it will not be a walk in the park to reach a deal on the contested issues.

"There is a lot of work to be done in that regard but we have confidence in Ambassador Mohammed and director Azevedo," said Mr Froman.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201512170353.html