Agriculture Beyond the WTO Talks Hong Kong

by Barry Finnegan - personal capacity Tue Jan 10, 2006 15:21 finnegan.barry at gmail dot com

pdf of this info available from weblink at end
-B.
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Agriculture Beyond the WTO Hong Kong Talks

This conference has been made possible by co-financing from the European Community
Agriculture Beyond the WTO Hong Kong Talks

The World Trade Organisation has had a significant impact on farming in both the developed and developing world over the past decade. It has established a framework within which agricultural policy can develop in the future. Yet many farms, and especially those in developing countries, have been adversely affected by policies adopted under the liberalisation agenda. But this is not just a developing country issue. Many Irish farmers find their incomes under pressure from cheap imports and low prices, and Irish farm numbers are declining rapidly. Following the generally negative reaction to the outcome of the WTO Hong Kong talks, Comhlámh presents a one-day conference bringing together farmers, researchers, academics, politicians, NGOs and activists to explore whether there is a coherent way forward for agricultural policy to the advantage of producers in the developed and developing world.

WHY THE FOCUS ON AGRICULTURE?

Agriculture is of great importance to developing countries as it represents the main
source of food and income for the majority of the world’s poor.
Liberalising trade (which is the mandate of the WTO) has a significant impact on
smaller scale farmers especially in the developing world, where there is generally
little or no access to additional income support; such farmers cannot compete
against subsidised imports from industrialised countries.
This is not just a developing country issue. Smaller scale farmers in Ireland are also
in decline, with many feeling the pressure to compete with cheap food imports.

THE WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION

The WTO was established 10 years ago with the aim of raising living standards,
ensuring full employment and increasing incomes through the mandate of free
trade.
The Agreement on Agriculture, which is part of the WTO’s set of rules, also came
into effect 10 years ago and aimed to establish a more market orientated
agricultural trading system.
In the years since its establishment, people in the Majority World are becoming
increasingly concerned about the negative implications arising from the
implementation of trade agreements. So-called ’free trade’, as it is being practised,
is proving unjust towards poorer countries.

COMHLÁMH ACTION NETWORK

Comhlámh’s mission is to challenge society on the root causes of global poverty
and inequality. The Comhlámh Action Network has been campaigning for 10
years on food security and trade to ensure that developing
country interests are taken into account in global agricultural
and trade policies

AGENDA

9.15–9.45 Registration
9.45 CHAIRPERSON’S WELCOME
Alan Dukes
10.00 SETTING THE SCENE
by the organisers, Comhlámh Action Network, Cork

PART 1 – THE WTO FARM TALKS
10.15 FARMERS’ VIEWS ON HOW THE WTO AFFECTS THEM

Dharamkumar Seeraj Guyana Rice Producers’ Association
Dr Mike Matsebula Swaziland Sugar Association
Ruaidhri Deasy Irish Farmers’ Association

11.00 Coffee Break

11.30 WHAT HAPPENED AT THE WTO HONG KONG TALKS?

Those who attended give their views....
Conall Ó Caoimh Comhlámh Policy Officer
Colin Roche Oxfam/Trade Matters
Pongtip Samaranjit Local Action Network, Thailand

12.30 VOICES FROM THE FLOOR Questions and Answers to the Panel
1.00 Lunch Break

PART 2 - BEYOND THE HONG KONG TALKS

2.00 THE IMPACT OF CAP REFORM AND ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS ON
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Paul Goodison European Research Office, Brussels
2.30 THE IMPACT OF US FARM POLICY AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A HUMAN-RIGHTS
BASED APPROACH TO THE WTO
Carin Smaller Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Geneva

3.00 Coffee Break

3.30 IS THERE A WAY FORWARD TO THE COMMON ADVANTAGE OF FARMERS
EVERYWHERE?
Speakers’ Panel
4.00 Q&A SESSION
4.30 CONCLUSIONS AND WRAP-UP
by chairperson & Comhlámh Action Network, Cork

6.00-8.00 POST-CONFERENCE RECEPTION

A chance to discuss the day’s proceedings and meet the speakers.
If you cannot attend the conference but would like to come to the reception, please
contact us.

I WISH TO RESERVE A PLACE/PLACES AT THE CONFERENCE
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Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Conference Fee (please tick or insert number if booking more than one place)
❏ €25 members ❏ €35 non-members
❏ €15 students and unwaged ❏ Asylum-seekers on direct provision are free
I enclose € . . . . . . . . . . .
Please return form to
Comhlámh Action Network,
55 Grand Parade
Cork
If you can’t attend the conference but would like to come to the reception,
please contact us.
Tel: 021 4275881
Email: comhcork@iol.ie
Friday 13th January 2006
9.15am– 4:30pm
Silver Springs Moran Hotel, Cork