Developing Countries Propose WTO Fisheries Deal
Date: 26-Sep-07
Country: SWITZERLAND
The joint proposal, in the Doha round negotiations on a new
global trade agreement at the World Trade Organisation (WTO),
won support from several other developing countries including
China and India, and a guarded welcome from the United States
and Australia, they said.
The proposal by Argentina and Brazil would accept a general
ban on fishery subsidies as part of efforts to conserve fishing
stocks and WTO rules restricting subsidies.
But it would allow developing countries to subsidise the
construction or repair of fishing vessels, support fishing
fleets, for instance with supplies of fuel or ice, and support
the livelihood of fishermen and their families.
But subsidies would be allowed only if they exploited
non-endangered species in areas under the jurisdiction of the
developing country providing the subsidy, or allowed it to fill
a quota agreed in a regional fisheries management organisation.
The activist group Oceana, which campaigns to protect the
world's oceans, said the proposal helped reconcile the demands
of development and sustainability.
"The proposal provides a real, workable approach that can
potentially accommodate the interests of developing members in
promoting a vibrant fishing sector while providing for
conservation and resource sustainability," Oceana Campaign
Director Courtney Sakai said in a statement.
The Doha round was launched nearly six years ago to boost
confidence in the world economy by opening up trade and helping
developing countries grow.
Negotiations currently focus on the key areas of agriculture
and industry, but talks are also continuing on areas such as
rules and subsidies, services, and trade and development.
