JOB/AG/183  
 
9 March 2020  
(20-1806) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Agriculture  
Special Session    
 
 REPORT BY AMB. J. R. D. (DEEP) FO RD, CHAIR OF THE COA SP ECIAL SESSION,  
TO THE INFORMAL TNC AND HOD S MEETING  
 
2 MARCH 2020  
1.   There are three key words in my report this morning. Those three words are: urgency, 
complexity and sequencing.  
 
2.   As envisaged, I circulated on 14 February 2020 a new Report entitled "Elements and processes 
for a possible outcome in agriculture at MC12" (J OB/AG/180). This Report is a follow -up to my 
July 2019 Report entitled "Working towards doable elements for meaningful outcomes" 
(JOB/AG/163).  
 
3.   The July Report provided the options that were being considered in respect of the seven areas 
in the Agriculture  negotiations. The new Report goes further by identifying elements and processes 
related to the options in each of these areas, essentially those that might be considered for 
agreement at the Twelfth Ministerial Conference (MC12).1 
 
4.   Members had the opportu nity to discuss my February Report at the last meeting of the 
Committee on Agriculture in Special Session (CoA S pecial Session ) and at the Dedicated Sessions 
on Public Stockholding for Food Security Purposes (PSH) and Special Safeguard Mechanism  (SSM)  
held on 24 -25 February 2020.   
 
5.   In addition to my Report, two new submissions on Domestic Support – one by the United States 
(JOB/AG/181) and another by the Russian Federation (JOB/AG/182) – were introduced and 
discussed. The C4 also presented the Koudougou Mi nisterial Declaration on Cotton (TN/AG/GEN/50  
- TN/AG/SCC/GEN/22).  
 
6.   Some important points emerged from the discussions.  
 
7.   In Domestic Support , the need to tackle trade -distorting domestic support (TDDS) was 
unanimously recognized. One recent submission suggested a numerical target to cap and reduce the 
sum of global agricultural TDDS entitlements by at least half by 2030. Submissions by other Members 
have also introduced ideas on how  TDDS may be addresse d. These ideas give us the opportunity to 
achieve the overarching objective of reducing TTDS. Nonetheless, many divergences remain, 
including which sub -categories of Domestic Support should be earmarked for reduction. Against this 
background, I invited Mem bers to engage on the proposals on the table and agree on a shared 
objective towards capping and reducing TDDS  with numerical goals, commitments on key elements 
and how to achieve them. I will continue to hold consultations with Members to agree on princip les 
and parameters , as well as processes and approaches towards achieving this shared objective.  
 
8.   In the Market Access  discussions, certain specific elements are being considered in the context 
of a possible MC12 outcome; these include transparency of chan ges in applied tariffs and the 
treatment of consignments  en route;  transparency of TRQ administration; and reporting of ad 
valorem  equivalents (AVEs) of tariffs bound in non -ad valorem  terms. These elements, also included 
 
1 The elements referred to in this document are within the seven areas of the Agriculture negotiations, 
namely, Domestic Support, Market Access, Export Competition, Export Prohibitions and Restrictions, Cotton, 
Special Safeguard Mechanism and Public Stockhol ding for Food Security Purposes. An element is, for example, 
AMS in Domestic Support or T ariff Rate Quotas in Market Access. Processes refer to the engagement and work 
that needs to be undertaken to increase the possibility of reaching agreement.  JOB/AG/183  
 
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  in my February Report, are principally in the spirit of enhanced transparency and facilitating 
agricultural trade. Simultaneously, some Members have started working on a possible agreed 
framework and principles to guid e Market Access negotiations post -MC12.    
 
9.   In Export Competition , the proponents are working on more specific proposals aimed at 
enhancing and making more effective the current monitoring and transparency mechanisms in this 
area. The clear intention is th at additional information and understandings reached among Members 
will facilitate further discussions on reform , addressing what can be considered as unfinished 
business in this Export Competition pillar.  
 
10.   In Export Restrictions , the discussions confirmed  that exemption of foodstuffs purchased for 
non-commercial humanitarian purposes by the World Food Programme from the application of Export 
Restrictions is on the table for MC12. Further work is expected on the other issues related to 
notification requirem ents and clarification elements.  
 
11.   An outcome on Cotton  is supported by a large group of Members, but it is also the case that 
according to available notifications , Cotton trade-distorting support is provided by a few Members 
only. Several Members also conf irmed their support for the Cotton-related development efforts.  
 
12.   In SSM, the linkage made between an SSM and Market Access continues to constrain progress 
in the discussions. I have urged both the proponents and non -proponents to redouble their efforts 
and engage constructively so that they can fully understand each other's positions and concerns to 
take the discussions forward.  
 
13.   The PSH issue remains a priority issue for many developing country Members and the call for 
a Permanent Solution by MC12 has bee n renewed in recent communications2 and discussions. I have 
therefore called upon Members to develop proposals based largely on the elements discussed before 
MC11 and invited Members to reflect on whether there is room for treating differently some country  
Groups (e.g. LDCs) or some types of programmes (e.g. new programmes, small programmes).  
 
14.   The last CoA S pecial Session  meeting showed – as expected – that as our discussions focus 
more on specifics , they become more difficult, the discomfort of Members is more apparent , and 
their positions are expressed more forcefully. The Agriculture negotiations have always been 
complex, and as we move closer to MC12, it is to be expected that we will have to urge ntly facilitate 
the increasing complexity being better understood and negotiated.  
 
15.   At the same time, I also sensed a real commitment on the part of Members who are convinced 
that further reforms are necessary. This commitment is being used as a foundation  on which to build 
a process toward s a meaningful outcome at MC12 and beyond. This is now urgent.  
 
16.   All the areas under the Agriculture negotiations are priorities. All do not have the same breadth 
of interest or commitment to find a solution before or at M C12. All do not have the same level of 
maturity in terms of convergence around some elements. For this reason, I mentioned the word 
sequencing at the beginning of this statement. It is now urgent, recognizing the complex work to be 
done, and the little tim e between now and Nur  Sultan, that Members agree to sequencing the 
treatment of issues and elements. We need to sequence our work, focusing more over this coming 
period on the issues and elements that have a better chance to be part of an outcome at MC12. 
Sequencing for treatment now does not imply any hierarchy between the elements but rather , given 
the urgency of time , Members deciding to focus on those elements which are more mature and have 
the greatest chance to attract consensus among Members.    
 
17.   To repeat, time is short, we have to move forward with an increased urgency. The next meeting 
of the CoA Special Session is scheduled for 23 -24 March, and the one after for 23 -24 April, including 
the Dedicated Sessions on PSH and SSM, as mandated. After these  meetings, we will have only one 
month left before MC12.   
 
18.   Many important suggestions were made during the February CoA  Special Session  and the 
consultations since then. In the next few weeks before the March CoA S pecial Session,  further efforts 
will be m ade to build on the just circulated  14 February Report to see how we can sharpen the 
engagement around the possible options to increase the chances of an incremental balanced 
 
2 JOB/AG/ 173 and JOB/AG/179.  JOB/AG/183  
 
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  meaningful outcome at MC12. More specifically, to urgently accelerate our work in  a more focused 
and sequenced manner towards an objective of having a final draft document in May, at the latest, 
that would be as precise as possible for consideration by Ministers at MC12. This document will arise 
from an enhanced process between now and  May based on the feedback I would be receiving from 
my consultations with Members , as well as my reports and submissions by Members.  
 
19.   I continue to encourage Members to submit new proposals and ideas to complement my 
Reports, especially those that attempt to bridge the remaining differences and build consensus.  
 
20.   I also urge Members to engage with each other in a constructive and more focused manner 
before the next CoA Special Session.  
 
21.   I will continue my own consultations with Members in several fo rmats. I remain committed to 
working with all Members towards a meaningful outcome at MC12. Despite the complexity of the 
Agriculture negotiations , we are all committed to reducing distortions in global agriculture and food 
markets. We need to act with urg ency and realism, we must sequence our work between now and 
June, and beyond Nur  Sultan.  
 
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