. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONTN/AG/8
5 March 2003
(03-1285)
Committee on Agriculture
Special Session
SEVENTEENTH SPECIAL SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
Report by the Chairman, Stuart Harbinson, to the Trade Negotiations Committee
I. STATUS OF WORK
1. The Special Session of the Committee on Agriculture, which is pursuing negotiations under
paragraphs 13, 14 and other relevant provisions of the Doha Ministerial Declaration as agreed by theTrade Negotiations Committee (TN/C/M/1), held its seventeenth formal meeting on 28 February
2003.  The agenda as set out in WTO/AIR/2030 was adopted.
2. In accordance with the programme agreed in March 2002, the Special Session considered the
First Draft of Modalities for Further Commitments that was circulated on 17 February (TN/AG/W/1).
The Chairman presented a report on his own responsibility concerning the main features of thediscussions at the informal Special Session held on 24-28 February.
3. The Chairman's report will be included in th e Secretariat summary report on the seventeenth
formal Special Session (to be issued as TN/AG/R/7).  A number of statements were made by
participants in the formal meeting regarding the ne gotiations and the various ideas put forward in the
First Draft of Modalities.  Participants' statements and contributions will also be reflected in theSecretariat summary report.
II. OUTSTANDING ISSUES
4. At the informal and formal Special Sessions participants undertook an intensive and detailed
discussion based on the First Draft of Modalities.  In addition, many delegations held bilateral and
plurilateral meetings during the week on their own initiative while I, as Chairman, held consultations
with many delegations.  These consultations will continue in the weeks ahead.
5. The first draft was useful in inaugurating a much more intensive and focussed phase in the
negotiations.  However, little common ground emerged on fundamental issues.  While there was some
progress on a number of technical aspects and a willingness to continue work there was little
collective guidance to assist in preparation of a second draft of modalities.
III. FURTHER WORK
6. It will be necessary to reflect carefully on how to register the outcome of the discussions at
the Special Sessions and associated consultations.  Delegations must also reflect carefully on the lack
of progress to date on the consequences of it continuing.  Constructive engagement by and between
participants is urgently needed to create the sp ace for a modalities package in line with the Doha
mandate and to comply with the deadlines designated by Ministers.
7. Technical consultations will continue on a number of issues, such as the concept of strategic
products and related criteria, the architecture of a possible special safeguard mechanism for
developing countries, tariff quota administration, export credits and food aid.  Moreover, as indicated
in the First Draft of Modalities, there is a need, wh ile respecting the diverse positions in this area, toTN/AG/8
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further explore how and where a number of issues raised in the context of non-trade concerns might
be approached.
8. Under the work programme the next Special Session is to be held on 25 to 31 March.  Under
the Doha Ministerial Declaration modalities for further commitments are to be established on 31
March.
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