§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she is making to the US Government on the proposed Farm Bill; and if she will make a statement. [67598]
§ Ms HewittHMG are in continual dialogue with the US Government at all levels concerning the US Farm Bill (the "Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 2002"). We have made clear to the US Government our considerable disappointment with the Farm Bill, especially in the context of the Doha Development Agenda, which committed all WTO members to substantial reductions in trade-distorting domestic support.
The US believes the Farm Bill is compatible with their World Trade Organisation commitments and have stressed their intention to remain fully engaged in the Doha negotiations. I will continue to strongly encourage them to do so and to put forward practical proposals to achieve the Doha commitments in agriculture.