Civil G8 2006

Civil G8 — is your opportunity
to discuss global problems!

earth

News

Brown urges G8 into action over agricultural subsidies


GORDON BROWN called on the G8 club of advanced economies yesterday to prepare themselves to rescue the Doha trade round if the talks fail to make progress in reducing agricultural subsidies.
The Chancellor told a conference in Nigeria that, after the failure of talks in Hong Kong last year, time was running out for negotiators at the World Trade Organisation in Geneva to reach an "ambitious" trade deal. Meetings of the G8 countries, due to take place in June and July, could break the deadlock.
He said: "We must do everything in our power to resist a retreat into protectionism. It is urgent that heads of government stand ready to break the deadlock, using all the resources of leadership and statesmanship."
Mr Brown said that Europe and the United States must end their farm subsidies as part of their commitment to developing nations. India and Brazil, the leading voices for the developing countries, should be ready to make concessions on allowing Western imports if the subsidies were lifted, he suggested. He added that poor countries should strengthen their commitment to transparency of funding, in an attempt to root out corruption around poor nations' natural resources.
Mr Brown rejected "forced liberalisation" for developing countries, saying that they should be allowed to plan their own trade reforms.

Expert opinion

Halter Marek

02.12.06

Halter Marek
Le College de France
Olivier Giscard d’Estaing

02.12.06

Olivier Giscard d’Estaing
COPAM, France
Mika Ohbayashi

02.12.06

Mika Ohbayashi
Institute for Sustainable Energy Poliñy
Bill Pace

02.12.06

Bill Pace
World Federalist Movement - Institute for Global Policy
Peter I. Hajnal

01.12.06

Peter I. Hajnal
Toronto University, G8 Research Group


Contact us |  De | Rus |