§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the French Government concerning their stance on agricultural subsidies, with reference to the Doha round of world trade negotiations; [108122]
373W(2) what representations he has made to the European Commission concerning the French Government's stance on agricultural subsidies, with reference to the Doha round of world trade negotiations; [108123]
(3) what the Government's stance is on agricultural subsidies, with reference to the Doha round of world trade negotiations; and if he will make a statement. [108124]
§ Mr. MacShaneThe Government remain committed to the declaration on agriculture made at the WTO Ministerial Conference meeting in Doha in November 2001. We want comprehensive negotiations aimed at substantial improvements in market access; reductions of, with a view to phasing out, all forms of export subsidies; and substantial reductions in trade-distorting domestic support. The Government were disappointed that the WTO's 31 March deadline to establish modalities for a new agreement on agriculture was not met. Agricultural trade reform remains critical for developing countries and is central to the Doha Development Agenda as a whole. WTO members must now redouble their efforts to reach consensus on agriculture by the 5th meeting of the WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancun this September. We are working with all our EU partners, including the European Commission and France, to ensure that the EU plays its full part in bringing this about.