If not name directly, the war in Ukraine is looming over the discussions at the World Trade Organization (WTO). At the organisation’s 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) in Geneva, ministers are expected to adopt a declaration and a binding decision to tackle the food crisis caused by the war in Ukraine.
Both texts contain provisions broad enough to apply to different situations and do not address the reasons for the current crisis (see other news). Initially, these were not on the agenda of the MC12, which was originally scheduled for November 2021, but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, WTO delegations have been working on a declaration to commit to limiting trade restrictions and on a binding decision to ban export restrictions to the UN World Food Programme (WFP).
The first of the two texts, transmitted to the ministers on 10 June in a clean version, does not include any passages in square brackets that need further work. This does not mean that ministers will necessarily adopt the declaration or make no further changes, a Geneva source said. Ministers met on Monday 13 to discuss the declaration. At the time of going to press, the outcome of this meeting was not yet known, but according to a European source, the text had a very good chance of being approved by consensus in the first days of MC12.
This text is not binding on members, unlike the second text on food safety, which is due to be agreed this week (see below).
According to the declaration submitted to ministers, WTO members commit to taking concrete steps to facilitate trade and improve the long-term functioning and resilience of global food and agricultural markets. They reaffirm “the importance of not imposing export bans or restrictions in a manner that is contrary to WTO provisions”.
Emergency measures imposed by a member must be proportionate, temporary, targeted, not affect trade to the extent possible and be notified, according to the statement.
Exempting the World Food Programme
The second text, which addresses food insecurity, is a binding decision for WTO members. Its content is therefore further debated.
Members must commit to not imposing export prohibitions or restrictions on foodstuffs purchased by WFP. Some developing countries have expressed concern about this because the food situation is sometimes too precarious. Thus, an article has been added, which provides that any member may derogate from the obligation to ensure food security on its territory. India continues to have difficulties with the text, according to two sources. New Delhi has a strong food stockpiling policy and in May restricted wheat and sugar exports.
See the ministerial declaration on food security: https://aeur.eu/f/22w
See the ministerial decision on the WFP exemption: https://aeur.eu/f/22v (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)