. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/AG/NG/W/160
6 April 2001
(01-1757)
Committee on Agriculture
Special SessionOriginal:  English
SEVENTH SPECIAL SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
26-28 MARCH 2001
Statement by Korea
Thanks to your excellent leadership, Mr. Chairman, we believe the Committee has been able
to complete the first phase successfully.  Based on active participation in the process, we would like to
express our views on the progress of the first phase of the negotiation.  Firstly, we have noticed that
many Members, especially developing ones, have been active participants in the discussions.
Different options reflecting the diverse situation of each Member's agriculture have been offered anddifferent experiences of implementing the UR outcomes have been shared for the continuation of the
reform process.
However, we believe the existing gaps between the views should not be sources of
discouragement.  Rather, taking stock of such gaps  contributes to better understanding on the unique
situation of each Member country, which in turn helps us to formulate a sound starting point for the
negotiation.  We believe a win-win negotiation outcome can be achieved only when the negotiation
starts with the full understanding of the partners' unique situation, particularly the difficulties they
face.  As such, it is desirable that each Member voices its concerns and suggestions.
Such win-win outcome would be on e that is realistic, feasible and acceptable to all Members,
based on the recognition of the diverse situation of each country.  This negotiation outcome wouldalso factor in the necessity of the coexistence of various types of agriculture, including those of
developed, developing, least-developed, small island developing, net food-importing developing,
transition economy, exporting, and importing countries.
We should be careful not to cherish too high or idealistic ambitions, ones that go beyond the
mandate of Article 20 of the Agreement on Agriculture.  We have to bear in mind that the mandate
contained in Article 20 clearly stipulates that the long-term objective of reform is an ongoing process.
Unrealistic ambition will lead only to deep disa ppointment, and we should thus negotiate with a
reasonable outcome in mind.
Secondly, the discussions in the first phase confirmed the existence of legitimate non-trade
concerns and many Members are of the view that they cannot be sufficiently addressed by a market-
only approach and that an adequate level of government intervention is required in many cases.  We
hope these critical concerns will be properly dealt with in the future process of negotiation, which will
hopefully lead to concrete and operational measures to address such concerns.
Thirdly, many Members feel that the new issues which have arisen after the conclusion of UR
should be duly considered in this negotiation.  These include consumer concerns on food safety,
biotechnology, and the environment.  We hope all these issues will be properly dealt with.G/AG/NG/W/160
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Lastly, I would like to wrap up my statement by pointing out that many of us feel that this
negotiation should be pursued as a part of a New Round with a sufficiently broad-based agenda and
conducted along the single undertaking principle so as to reflect equitably the interests of all
Members.  It is my sincere hope that we can successfully launch a New Round in Doha Ministerial
Conference, as it will become a catalyst helping to proceed with the negotiations on agriculture.
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