Non-Trade Concerns in the Agricultural Negotiations of the World Trade Organization

The document analyzes the conflict between developed and developing nations regarding 'non-trade concerns' (NTCs) in WTO agricultural negotiations. It details the 'Green Box' of allowed support measures and outlines three primary negotiating positions: those seeking expanded flexibility for multifunctional agriculture, those pushing for strict liberalization to prevent trade distortion, and developing nations seeking a 'Development Box' to protect food security and rural poverty alleviation.

• Non-trade concerns (NTCs) in agricultural negotiations generally encompass the environmental role of agriculture (biodiversity and environmental integrity), food security, rural development and community viability, and the preservation of material and immaterial heritage.
• The WTO 'Green Box' contains support measures deemed non-trade-distorting or minimally trade-distorting, including decoupled income support, food security stocks, domestic food aid, and payments for environmental conservation programs.
• The 'friends of multifunctionality'—primarily developed nations like the EC, Japan, Norway, and Switzerland—argue that Green Box exemptions are insufficient and seek authorization for production-linked, trade-distorting support to ensure continued farming activity and rural viability.
• A group of developed and developing countries, including the U.S. and the Cairns Group, oppose trade-distorting support, arguing that such measures harm the export prospects of other nations and may force producers in developing countries to use unsustainable farming practices.
• Certain developing countries, including India and Pakistan, advocate for a 'Development Box' to allow trade-distorting measures specifically for poor countries to address food security, poverty reduction, and protection of low-income farmers from subsidized imports.
• Agricultural subsidies in OECD countries have significant negative economic impacts on developing nations; in 1999, OECD spending of over US$361 billion on agricultural support cost developing countries an estimated US$20 billion per year in potential exports.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (2003). Non-Trade Concerns in the Agricultural Negotiations of the World Trade Organization. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/investment_sdc_may_2003_1.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. Non-Trade Concerns in the Agricultural Negotiations of the World Trade Organization. 2003. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/investment_sdc_may_2003_1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=Non-Trade Concerns in the Agricultural Negotiations of the World Trade Organization |date=2003 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/investment_sdc_may_2003_1.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopment2003nontrade, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{Non-Trade Concerns in the Agricultural Negotiations of the World Trade Organization}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2003}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/investment_sdc_may_2003_1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }