RESTRICTED  
  
G/AG/R/97  
 
4 February 2021  
(21-0926) Page: 1/14 
Committee on Agriculture    
 
 
SUMMARY REPORT OF THE MEETING HELD ON 30 NOVEMBER - 1 DECEMBER 2020  
NOTE BY THE SECRETARIAT1 
The Committee on Agriculture (CoA) held its ninety -sixth (96th) regular meeting on  
30 November  - 1 December 2020 under the Chairpersonship of Ms. Maria Araceli Escandor of 
the Philippines.  
 
The agenda contained in the convening airgram WTO/AIR/AG/48 circulated on 19 November 2020 
was adopted with the following additions:  
• Under item 1.B  - Matters relevant to the implementation  of commitments under the reform 
programme raised under Article 18.6 of the Agreement on Agriculture:  
• New Zealand co -sponsored questions raised by the United States of America to Canada 
regarding its Milk Ingredient Class and the review of its TRQ system (AG-IMS IDs 96004, 
96005, 96011 and 96012);  
• Paraguay requested to include a question concerning the Russian Federation's proposed 
elimination of beef TRQs; and  
• Japan's question to Tajikistan (AG -IMS ID 96061), which had been erroneously omitted 
from the co nvening airgram, was confirmed to be taken up under agenda item 1.B.  
Additionally, the Chairperson acknowledged the written submissions by Members 
(G/AG/GEN/159/Add.3, G/AG/GEN/164/Add.1, G/AG/GEN/177) and the Observer International 
Organizations (G/AG/GE N/173, G/AG/GEN/174, G/AG/GEN/175, G/AG/GEN/176), circulated after 
the issuance of the convening airgram, for consideration under  agenda items 2.A and 2.B.  
 
1  THE REVIEW PROCESS  
1.1  Outstanding responses to questions raised, 2013 -2019  
1.1.  The Chairperson noted that since the September 2020 meeting of the Committee, only one 
outstanding response had been submitted. The Secretariat note containing the list of outstanding 
responses under the CoA review process for 2013 -2019, document G/AG/W/204/Rev.1, which had 
been considered at the September meeting, had not been revised for this meeting. The Chairperson 
reminded Members about the importance of providing timely responses to the issues raised during 
the review process for the efficient functioning of the Committee and called for increased efforts to 
submit outstanding responses at the earliest.   
1.2  Matters relevant to the implementation of commitments under the reform 
programme  - Article 18.6  
1.2.  A total of 36 specific implementation matters (SIMs) were raised at the 96th CoA meeting under 
Article 18.6. The Chairperson noted the record number of questions raised in 2020 under Article  18.6 
and the generally increasing recourse by Members to Article 18.6 over the years. The full version of 
 
1 This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice 
to the positions of Members or to their rights and obligations under the WTO.  G/AG/R/97  
 
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  the questions raised2 was included in section 1 of the compilation document G/AG/W/ 208.3 Members' 
responses and follow -up comments may be consulted in the Agriculture Information Management 
System (AG -IMS)4 using the relevant question ID numbers as provided in Table 1 of Annex 1 to this 
report.  This information can also be accessed directly by clicking on the question ID numbers in 
column  3 of the table.  
1.3  Review of Notifications  
1.3.  The Chairperson informed Members that since the previous meeting in September 2020, the 
Committee had received 55 notifications. Of those, 19 were in relation to expor t competition, 
18 related to market access, 16 concerned domestic support, and two concerned the NFIDC Decision. 
Those notifications had been distributed electronically to all delegations and are available for 
consultation through the AG -IMS portal.  
1.3.1   Notif ications in respect of which questions have been raised in advance of the 
issuance of the convening airgram  
1.4.  Table 2 of Annex 1 to this report includes the list of questions relating to individual notifications 
raised in advance of the issuance of the conve ning airgram .5 Members' responses and follow -up 
comments can be accessed through the AG -IMS using the relevant question ID numbers as provided 
in the table as well as through the hyperlinks contained in the table.  
1.3.2   Deferred replies to questions raised und er the review process  
1.5.  Two questions were raised under this agenda item6 as listed in Table 3 of Annex 1 to this 
report.  The responses and follow -up comments can be accessed through the AG -IMS using the 
relevant question ID numbers as provided in the table  or through the hyperlinks contained in the 
table.  
1.3.3   Overdue notifications  
1.6.  The Committee took note of the Secretariat document summarizing the status of Members' 
compliance with notification obligations .7 
1.7.  The Chairperson acknowledged Members' efforts to bri ng their notifications up to date, noting 
that several Members had submitted agriculture notifications covering multiple years. The 
notifications circulated since the September 2020 meeting included: Albania – Table ES:1 
covering  2011-2019; El Salvador – Table DS:1 covering 2003 -2007 and Table MA:2 for 2016 -2019; 
and Turkey – Table DS:1 covering the period 2014 -2016.  
1.8.  The Chairperson also drew Members' attention to the overall situation with respect to 
outstanding domestic support and export subsidy notifica tions for the period 1995 to 2019:  
• 854 Table DS:1 domestic support notifications remained outstanding; and  
• 874 export subsidy notifications in the ES:1 series remained outstanding.  
1.9.  Two questions were raised under this agenda item.8 Members' responses and follow -up 
comments can be accessed through the AG -IMS using the relevant question ID numbers as provided 
in Table 4 of Annex 1 to this report.  
 
2 Section A of the Attachment to the convening airgram WTO/AIR/AG/48, refers.  
3 The compilation also includes the question by Japan to Tajikistan (AG -IMS ID 960 61) which had been 
erroneously omitted from the convening airgram.  
4 http://agims.wto.org/ . 
5 WTO/AIR/AG/48, Section B of the Attachment. The full version of the questions raised can be found 
under section 2 of the com pilation document G/AG/W/208.  
6 The full version of the questions raised can be found under section 3 of the compilation 
document  G/AG/W/208.  
7 G/AG/GEN/86/Rev.40.  
8 The full version of the questions raised can be found under section 4 of the compilation 
document  G/AG/W/208.  G/AG/R/97  
 
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  1.10.   The Chairperson emphasized the importance of transparency and timely notifications, and 
called for increased efforts by Members to fulfil their notification obligations.  
1.3.4   Notifications subject to review in respect of which no questions have been raised 
in advance of the issuance of the convening airgram  
1.11.   The Committee took note of 43 notifications circulated before the issuance of the convening 
airgram on 19 November 2020, including notifications carried over from the September 2020 
meeting, but in respect of which no questions had been raised by that date  under paragraph 9 of 
the Committee's working procedures .9 
1.3.5   Notifications circulated after the issuance of the convening airgram  
1.12.   Two Table MA:3 notifications from Chinese Taipei (G/AG/N/TPKM/196 and G/AG/N/TPKM/197) 
were circulated after the issuance of th e convening airgram on 19 November 2020. Those 
notifications would be reverted to for review during the next regular meeting, in accordance with 
the Committee's working procedures.  
1.3.6   Points concerning notifications raised at previous meetings which have been  
pursued bilaterally: information regarding outcome where the issue involved is one of 
general interest  
1.13.   There were no requests for the floor under this agenda item.  
1.3.7   Counter -notifications under Article 18.7 of the Agreement on Agriculture  
1.14.   No counter -notific ations under Article 18.7 were made for this Committee meeting.  
2  OTHER MATTERS WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE COMMITTEE  
2.1  COVID -19 and Agriculture  
2.1.  The European Union  (EU), Norway and Switzerland presented their ad hoc  reports or updates 
to earlier ad hoc reports o n COVID -19 agricultural measures under this agenda item. Brazil, on 
behalf of the Ottawa Group, presented a compilation10 of COVID -19 agricultural measures by the 
Group. In response to a request by Members at the September 2020 meeting of the Committee, a 
similar compilation11 was prepared by the Secretariat tabulating information on COVID -19 measures 
included in Members' ad hoc reports. The observer international intergovernmental organizations 
(IGOs) also presented written contributions12 under this agend a item.  
2.2.  The EU drew attention to the third update of its ad hoc  report13 and noted that the addendum 
included additional support measures approved since the last update as well as new member States' 
subsidies. The document also updated information on priv ate storage aid schemes, including on 
quantities contracted and in storage as of 31st October. The EU noted that the agricultural sector 
might also benefit from the general economy -wide measures which did not form part of the 
submission.  
2.3.  In its first ad hoc report14 to the Committee, Norway provided details of measures in the 
agricultural sector in response to COVID -19. Norway noted that food systems and supply chains had 
generally managed to adapt quickly to the pandemic and its aftershocks. However, farmers had 
been negatively impacted in various ways, for example, Norwegian farmers had encountered a lack 
of season al labour during harvests. Norway, in response, had made adjustments to its existing 
support programmes, as reflected in the ad hoc  report. Norway supported the Committee's initiative 
 
9 WTO/AIR/AG/48, Section C of the Attachment.  
10 G/AG/GEN/177.  
11 Subsequently circulated as G/AG/W/209.  
12 G/AG/GEN/175 (FAO) and G/AG/GEN/176 (OECD).  
13 G/AG/GEN/159/Add.3.  
14 G/AG/GEN/172.  G/AG/R/97  
 
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  to enhance the transparency of COVID -19 agricultural measures and noted it would update the 
Committee of any changes to its reported measures.  
2.4.  Switzerland presented an update15 to its earlier ad hoc report by incorporating developments 
since the circulation of the original report in September 2020. Switzerland also noted that  no new 
measures had been introduced. With the aim of improved transparency, the addendum provided 
information on the duration of measures. Switzerland considered that ad hoc reports by Members 
constituted an important first step towards transparency and e ncouraged all WTO Members to submit 
such reports to the Committee.  
2.5.  Brazil, on behalf of the Ottawa Group, introduced the compilation of Group members' COVID -19 
agriculture measures .16 Brazil also acknowledged the similar compilation17 by the Secretariat, noting 
that the Group had not been aware of the Secretariat's initiative at the time it had commenced work 
on its compilation. Brazil highlighted that the Ottawa Group compilation also included COVID -19 
measures implemented by Australia and Singapore who h ad not submitted specific ad hoc reports. 
Brazil emphasized that the compilation documents could not be a substitute for Members' notification 
obligations.  
2.6.  Brazil further noted that while ad hoc reports by various Members were laudable, there was a 
relatively low level of harmonization in the metrics used or the information shared in those reports. 
In that regard, Brazil appreciated the Secretariat compilation which would promote a comparative 
analysis of the information in various ad hoc reports. Brazil a lso considered that the compilations by 
both the Ottawa Group and the Secretariat supported the commitment on transparency in 
paragraph  12 of the communication18 by members of the Cairns Group, including Brazil. Brazil 
requested the Secretariat to separately tabulate Members' COVID -19 agriculture measures, 
including domestic support measures, as a part of the Secretariat COVID -19 goods tracker.  
2.7.  The Observer IGOs a lso contributed to discussions under this agenda item. The FAO in its 
detailed written contribution19 on COVID -19 and agriculture touched on the recessionary impact 
caused by the pandemic and the resulting global food security challenges, especially in ter ms of the 
access to food of poor and vulnerable people. The FAO report also included various policy 
recommendations, including on the centrality of trade, the need for coordinated global efforts to 
support access to food in vulnerable countries and public investment in trade and market -related 
infrastructure as well as digitalization towards inclusive growth.  
2.8.  The OECD in its written contribution20 informed the Committee about its analytical work and 
recommendations in various policy domains to deal with th e pandemic. It specifically highlighted the 
important positive role of transparency in global food and agricultural markets and trade facilitation 
measures towards the smooth movement of goods across borders.   
2.9.  The World Food Programme (WFP) shared its asse ssment of the impact of the COVID -19 
pandemic on global food security. The WFP estimated that in the absence of a timely response, the 
number of acutely food insecure people might increase by 200 million by the end of 2020. The WFP 
also referred to the imp act of export restrictions on its food procurement operations resulting, 
inter alia, in increased costs and longer delivery times. The WFP urged WTO Members to support 
Singapore's proposal21 to not impose export prohibitions and restrictions on foodstuffs purchased by 
the WFP for non -commercial, humanitarian purposes.  
2.10.   The EU agreed with the FAO's assessment of the post -COVID -19 situation that there was no 
overall food shortage, but that the challenge was primarily about distribution of food. The EU lauded 
the Secretariat's efforts to compile COVID -19 agricultural measures in a searchable format and 
suggested that the Secretariat explore merging its compilation with that of the Ottawa Group. The  EU 
also noted that the compilation on its own could not add to transparency unless it was backed by a 
robust response by Members on the reporting of COVID -19 measures. The EU expressed 
 
15 G/AG/GEN/164/Add.1.  
16 G/AG/GEN/177.  
17 G/AG/W/209 . 
18 WT/GC/218/Rev.1, G/AG/31/Rev.1, TN/AG/44/Rev.1 . 
19 G/AG/GEN/175.  
20 G/AG/GEN/176.  
21 Later distributed as WT/GC/W/810 -TN/AG/46 (and subsequent revisions).  G/AG/R/97  
 
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  disappointment on the limited number of Members providing reports on COVID -19 measures despite 
the pointed call by the previous Chairp erson to that effect and encouraged Members to share details 
of the amount of subsidies provided in response to COVID -19 especially when large sums were 
involved. The EU denounced the use of export restrictions especially during the pandemic and in 
agricul tural trade more widely and questioned the lack of transparency made apparent in the 
discussions during the review process on several non -notified export restrictions.  The EU referred to 
its intervention in the Special Session of the Committee about improv ed transparency as a key 
deliverable for MC -12 and noted that it was considering a submission on that issue in 2021.  
2.11.   Australia welcomed the FAO's assessment that supply chains had remained resilient during 
the pandemic. Australia was concerned about the n umerous domestic support measures introduced 
during the pandemic and their potential distorting effect on global markets and vulnerable farmers 
in other countries. Australia also considered it important to use the WTO as a forum of engagement 
among Members  towards enhanced accountability and share experiences to ably respond to any 
such future crisis.  
2.12.   Canada noted that the various submissions and the ensuing discussions had shed important 
light on how agricultural trade had responded to COVID -19. Referring  to the Ottawa Group 
compilation, Canada renewed the call for the Secretariat to maintain a separate goods tracker 
hosting a listing of all COVID -19 agricultural measures, not limited solely to those contained in 
Members' ad hoc reports. Canada also reiter ated that ad hoc reports did not replace Members' 
WTO notification obligations.  
2.13.   Chile, as a cosponsor of the Ottawa Group compilation, emphasized the importance of 
transparency during the pandemic to impart predictability to agriculture markets.  
2.14.   The Unit ed States echoed the EU's call for transparency and noted that the Secretariat's 
monitoring and tracking should not prejudge how Members should notify their COVID -19 measures. 
The United States noted that the details of the COVID -19 measures in its ad hoc  report were shared 
for transparency purposes only and had not been identified under a specific pillar. Not all measures 
might necessarily fall into any specific area within the scope of the Agreement on Agriculture.  
2.15.   The Chairperson acknowledged the sugges tions for the Secretariat to explore how its 
compilation of COVID -19 measures could be harmonized with that of the Ottawa Group in a 
user-friendly format. The Secretariat took note of the suggestion by some Members of a separate 
agriculture tracker and agreed to report back at the March 2021 meeting.  
2.2  Annual monitoring exercise on the follow up to the Marrakesh NFIDC Decision under 
Article 16.2 of the Agreement on Agriculture (G/AG/W/42/Rev.21)  
2.16.   Article 16.2 of the Agreement on Agriculture mandates the Com mittee on Agriculture to 
monitor, as appropriate, the follow -up to the Marrakesh Ministerial Decision on Measures Concerning 
the Possible Negative Effects of the Reform Programme on Least developed and net food -importing 
developing countries (the NFIDC Dec ision). The Chairperson recalled that pursuant to paragraph  18 
of its working procedures (G/AG/1), the Committee undertakes the annual monitoring exercise 
based principally on  actions taken by donor Members within the framework of the NFIDC Decision 
as rep orted in their Table NF:1 notifications.  
2.17.   The Committee took note of the following Table NF:1 notifications circulated since the 
November 2019 monitoring exercise:  
• Australia: (G/AG/N/AUS/134) ; 
• Canada : (G/AG/N/CAN/ 132, G/AG/N/CAN/133) ; 
• European Union : (G/AG /N/EU/60, G/AG/N/EU/60/CORR.1) ; 
• Korea, Republic of : (G/AG/N/KOR/74, G/AG/N/KOR/75) ; 
• New Zealand : (G/AG/N/NZL/114, G/AG/N/NZL/115, G/AG/N/NZL/123) ; 
• Norway : (G/AG/N/NOR/113) ; 
• Russian Federation : (G/AG/N/RUS/25, G/AG/N/RUS/28) ; G/AG/R/97  
 
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  • Switzerland : (G/AG/N/CHE/97) ; 
• United S tates of America : (G/AG/N/USA/129) . 
2.18.   The Committee also took note of a revised background note circulated by the Secretariat on 
the implementation of the NFIDC Decision, to facilitate Members' consideration of this agenda item.22 
The note sets out the substantive provisions of the NFIDC Decision and provides information 
regarding their implementation. The Secretariat briefly introduced the document and highlighted the 
main updates in the revised background note.  
2.19.   The EU thanked the Secretariat for the revised background note and specifical ly referred to 
Annex 2 to the note containing a summary of Members' Table NF:1 notifications.  
2.20.   The observer international organizations are also regularly invited to contribute to the annual 
NF monitoring exercise. For this monitoring exercise, the FAO and the International Grains 
Council  (IGC) presented written contributions. The FAO report23 provided a detailed overview of the 
current global market situation and international price trends for  major food commodities. The report 
also dwelt on policy response s to COVID -19 in net food -importing developing countries, and shared 
recommendations to, inter alia , mitigate the immediate impact of the pandemic while strengthening 
the long -term resilience of food systems. The submission24 by the IGC provided an overvie w of the 
activities of the Food Assistance Committee during 2019.  
2.2.1   Review of the international food aid provisions of the Nairobi Ministerial Decision 
on Export Competition  
2.21.   In paragraph 32 of the Nairobi Decision on Export Competition, Members agreed to rev iew 
the provisions on international food aid forming part of the Decision during the regular Committee 
on Agriculture monitoring of the implementation of the NFIDC Decision.  
2.22.   The Chairperson noted that the Nairobi Decision had three complementary provisions  for the 
review and follow -up to be undertaken by the Committee, namely the annual dedicated discussions 
on export competition, the latest of which took place during the September 2020 meeting; the 
Triennial Review of the Decision, the first of which was c oncluded in September 2018 and the next 
one to be undertaken in 2021; and lastly, the specific review of the provisions on international food 
aid within the NFIDC monitoring exercise. The Chairperson referred to the past discussions where 
the issue of tran sparency of Members' food aid programmes and existing data gaps concerning food 
aid had been emphasized. The Chairperson called Members' attention to the recent presentations by 
the FAO and the World Food Programme (WFP) at the Special Session of the Commi ttee (CoA SS) 
in November 2019 where the two organizations had, inter alia, addressed the issue of the impact of 
the COVID -19 pandemic on food assistance activities and transparency of global food aid flows.  
2.23.   The EU also referred to the FAO intervention at  the November 2019 CoA SS meeting about 
the fact that the need for food aid might have been increased during the COVID -19 pandemic. The 
FAO had then underlined the importance of transparency of food aid to be able to properly assess 
its impacts on those mo st in need, as well as on markets more widely. Additionally, the FAO had 
emphasized the need for the strengthening of data collection, monitoring and dissemination efforts 
and had called on those signatories of the Food Assistance Convention, which were la gging behind 
in the submission of their notifications, to provide the required information. The EU supported the 
call for transparency by the FAO and referred to its statement at the CoA SS about improved 
transparency being a key deliverable for MC12. The EU considered that reviewing notification 
requirements for food aid with a view to ensuring adequate transparency whilst streamlining the 
obligations could be part of relevant preparatory work. The EU stated that it was considering a 
submission on transpar ency in 2021 to the CoA SS which could include those issues.  
 
22 G/AG/W/42/Rev.21.  
23 G/AG/GEN /174 refers.  
24 G/AG/GEN/173 refers.  G/AG/R/97  
 
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  2.3  Annual consultation under Article 18.5 – Members' participation in the normal growth 
of world trade in agriculture products within the framework of the commitments on export 
subsidies (G/AG/W/32 /Rev.19)  
2.24.   The Chairperson recalled that Article 18.5 of the Agreement on Agriculture provided for 
Members to consult annually with respect of their participation in the normal growth of world trade 
in agricultural products within the framework of the commit ments on export subsidies. The 
Chairperson added that Members' compliance with their export subsidies notification obligations was 
crucial to enable the Committee to undertake the consultation. The revised Secretariat compliance 
document reflected the stat e-of-play of Members' compliance with their notification obligations 
including in the export subsidy area.25 The document showed that for the implementation 
period  1995-2018, 854 Table ES:1 notifications and 34 Table ES:2 notifications remained 
outstanding .  
2.25.   The Committee took note of the revised background document prepared by the Secretariat 
for this exercise .26 The Secretariat introduced the document which provided data on export 
volumes27 and shares in world exports, for selected agricultural products/p roduct groups covering 
the period from 2009 to 2019.28 In terms of product coverage, the document covered all 22 products 
or group of products listed in G/AG/2 and that are used in the Committee's monitoring of export 
subsidy commitments.  
2.26.   Brazil highlighted that it continued to be the world's largest exporte r of oilseeds, sugar, 
poultry, beef and tobacco, and the second largest exporter of coarse grains and corn. Despite the 
limitations of the pandemic, Brazil had been able to maintain reliable production and had honoured 
export contracts and witnessed record  export performance in the first three quarters of 2020. Brazil's 
efforts had resulted in USD 77.89 billion worth of goods exported in 2020 recording a 7.5% growth 
over the same period in 2019. Brazil noted that that expansion was a result of increased qua ntum 
of exports while the price index fell by 5.9% in the same period. Maintaining adequate food supply 
domestically and ensuring food security remained key for Brazil. In contrast to protectionist stands 
taken by many, Brazil had adopted a pro -market appr oach where it had unilaterally reduced import 
tariffs for products like rice, corn and soy.  
2.4  Implementation of Ministerial outcomes  
2.4.1   Review of the Bali Ministerial Decision on TRQ administration  
2.27.   The issue was considered at an informal meeting of the Committ ee on 30 November. The 
Secretariat had circulated a revised draft of the underfill mechanism tracking register for 
consideration by Members. Under this agenda item at the formal meeting, the Chairperson provided 
an oral report on the discussions during the  informal meeting, which is contained in Annex 2 to this 
report. The Chairperson also suggested that the draft Secretariat tracking register, considered at 
the November informal meeting be distributed to all Members in the interest of transparency .29  
2.4.2   Follow up on the Nairobi Ministerial Decision on Export Competition.  
2.28.   As part of the monitoring of the implementation of the Nairobi Decision on Export Competition, 
three Members raised questions under this agenda item. The full version of the questions raised can 
be accessed in Section 4 of document G/AG/W/208. Members' responses and follow up comments 
are available in the AG -IMS and may be consulted there using the relevant question ID numbers as 
provided in Table 5 of the Annex 1 to this repo rt. 
2.29.   As regards the modification of schedules pursuant to the Nairobi Ministerial Decision, the 
Chairperson highlighted that out of the 16 Members with export subsidy reduction commitments at 
the time of adoption of the Nairobi Decision, eleven Members had their revised schedule certified; 
three Members, namely Canada and the EU in 2017, and Indonesia in October 2020 had circulated 
 
25 G/AG/G EN/86/Rev.40.  
26 G/AG/W/32/Rev.19 plus corrigendum.  
27 Except for fruits & vegetables and live animals for which export data was provided in value terms.  
28 Data sourced from UN COMMTRADE and the Trade Data Monitor.  
29 Circulated as RD/AG/83 and its attachment . G/AG/R/97  
 
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  their draft schedules, but these were not yet certified30; and two Members, namely Brazil and 
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of,  had yet to circulate their draft schedules.  
2.30.   The Chairperson also recalled the announcement made at the September Committee meeting 
that, the 2021 dedicated discussion on export competition would be scheduled during the September 
2021 regular CoA meeting .31 Regarding the next steps for the second triennial review pursuant to 
paragraph 5 of the Nairobi Decision, the Chairperson informed Members about her intention to hold 
consultations on this issue in 2021 and to host the topic on the agenda of informal Co mmittee 
meetings in that year.  
2.4.3   Implementation of other Ministerial outcomes  
2.31.   There were no requests for the floor under this agenda item.  
2.5  Chair report on the informal meeting of 30 November - Enhancing transparency and 
the CoA Review Process  
2.32.   During the inf ormal meeting of 30 November, the Committee continued its deliberations on 
possible elements to enhance transparency and the Committee's review process. At the formal 
meeting, the Chairperson provided an oral report on the discussions, which is contained i n Annex  3 
to this report.  
2.6  Implementation -related issues (G/AG/16, G/AG/16/ADD.1, G/AG/ 22)32 
2.33.   There were no requests for the floor under this agenda item.  
2.7  Annual report to the Council for Trade in Goods  
2.34.   The Chairperson noted that as per regular practice, a  brief factual report on the activities of 
the Committee in 2020 would be provided, to the Council for Trade in Goods (CTG). Accordingly, the 
Chairperson would submit a factual report, on her own responsibility, reflecting the activities of the 
Committee, including the three regular Committee meetings and the special meeting of the 
Committee convened in June focusing on COVID -19.33 Also, since the CTG's last meeting of the year 
had already been convened prior to this CoA meeting, the annual report would be submitted directly 
to the General Council for consideration at its December 2020 meeting .34 
2.8  Renewal of ad hoc observer status to IICA  
2.35.   The Chairperson recalled that at its March 2012 meeting, the Committee had agreed to 
invite  IICA to its regular meetings as an ad hoc  observer on an annual basis in order to expedite 
procedures unless the issue was to be specifically placed on the agenda b y a Member in the 
intervening meetings. IICA had accordingly been invited to participate in the Committee regular 
meetings since 2012.  
2.36.   The Committee agreed to invite IICA as an ad hoc observer to participate in the formal 
meetings of the Committee in 2021 .  
2.9  Other Business  
2.37.   The Secretariat briefed Members about its technical assistance activities in 2021, including 
the flagship notification workshop. The workshop would address the requirements and formats of 
agriculture notifications, the importance of trans parency and the review process of the Committee. 
The timing and format of the 2021 edition of the notification workshop would be decided based on 
 
30 Indonesia's draft schedule incorporating the Nairobi Export Competition Decision was later certified 
with effect from 12 January 2021 (WT/LET/1507 refers).  
31 Paragraph 2.11 of G/AG/R/96 refers.  
32 See the Ministerial Decision of 14 November 2001 as contained in WT/MIN(01)/17.  
33 A draft of the report was shared with Members before the meeting (RD/AG/82 refers).  
34 The final report was distributed as G/L/1380.  G/AG/R/97  
 
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  the sanitary situation and associated working conditions, and Members would be advised 
accordingly.  
2.9.1   Date of ne xt regular meetings  
2.38.   The Chairperson proposed that the ninety -seventh (97th) regular meeting of the Committee 
on Agriculture be held on 29 -30 March 2021. On that basis, the airgram convening the meeting 
would be issued on 18 March 2021 and the reminder air gram would be issued on 26 February 2021.  
2.39.   The tentative dates for the remaining meetings of the Committee in 2021 were also 
announced as 17 -18 June, 28 -29 September, and 30 November and 1 December 2021.35   
  
 
35 G/AG/GEN/178 contains the tentative dates of the Committee meetings in 2021.  G/AG/R/97  
 
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  ANNEX 1  
Annex 1 includes the full list of questions raised under the various agenda items of the Committee. 
Members' responses and follow -up exchanges (if applicable) can be accessed through the AG -IMS 
(http://agims.wto.org/ ) by selecting the function "Search Q&A Submitted Since 1995" and inputting 
the ID number of the question concerned. Question IDs where replies were yet to be submitted into 
the AG -IMS as of 2 February 2021 have been identified with the symbol "*". Members are invited to 
submit outstanding r eplies through the AG -IMS at the earliest opportunity.  
Table 1 - Specific Implementation Matters (Article 18.6)  
Specific Implementation Matter  Question by  ID 
Number  
Australia's  package of reforms for the agricultural sector  India 96021  
Australia's International Freight Assistance Mechanism  India 96022  
Canada's new milk ingredient class  New Zealand  96082  
Canada's new milk ingredient class  New Zealand  96083  
Canada's new milk ingredient class  New Zealand  96084  
Canada's new milk ingredient class  United States of America  96004  
Canada's new milk ingredient class  United States of America  96005  
Canada's new milk ingredient class  United States of America  96011  
Canada's review of the TRQ system  India 96023  
Canada's review of the TRQ system  New Zealand  96085  
Canada's review of the TRQ system  United States of America  96012  
Canada's new milk ingredient class  New Zealand  96040  
Canada's review of the TRQ system  New Zealand  96041  
Canada 's Dairy Direct Payment Program  New Zealand  96042  
China - China -US Economic and Trade Agreement  Australia  96043  
China's cotton policies  Australia  96045  
China's responses to Canada's questions   Canada  96075  
China's cotton policies  Australia  96044  
Côte d'Ivoire – tax on imported spirits  European Union  96046 * 
Egypt – Sugar import ban/restrictions  European Union  96047 * 
EU's support measures in response to COVID -19 Australia  96048  
European Union  - Modification of the EU's agricultural schedule of 
commitme nts New Zealand  96049  
EU's environmental policies  Paraguay  96007  
EU's support measures in response to COVID -19 India 96027  
Honduras - export prohibitions on dried leguminous vegetables  Japan  96050  
India -Agriculture Infrastructure Fund  Australia  96051 * 
India's pulses policies  Australia  96052 * 
India's export subsidies for skim milk powder  European Union  96053 * 
India's export subsidies for skim milk powder   New Zealand  96055 * 
India's export subsidies for skim milk powder  United States of America  96013 * 
India's export prohibition on  onions  Japan  96054 * 
India's pulses policies  Canada  96076 * 
India's pulses policies  Russian Federation  96056 * G/AG/R/97  
 
- 11 - 
 
  Specific Implementation Matter  Question by  ID 
Number  
India's  PM-KISAN income guarantee scheme   Canada  96077 * 
India's transparency with Green Box measures   Canada  96078 * 
Indonesia - import permission for rice  Japan  96057 * 
Mongolia's quota regime for importation  Russian Federation  96058 * 
Nigeria's DS notifications  Australia  96059  
Nigeria's border closures   United States of America  96014  
Philippines - Market Access Volume (MAV)  utilization for corn  United States of America  96016 * 
Philippines - Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) 
permits  United States of America  96015 * 
Russian Federation - support for exported agric ultural products  European Union  96060  
Russian Federation - Proposed elimination  of beef TRQ  Paraguay  96081 * 
Russian Federation – draft resolution on export du ties  United States of America  96017  
Russian Federation 's export restrictions  United States of America  96018  
Russian Federation – Permanent export quota for cereals  United States of America  96019  
Russian Federation's export quota  India 96036  
Sri Lanka - temporary suspensions and restrictions  on imports of 
products  United States of America  96020  
Tajikistan's export prohibitions on certain food products  Japan  96061 * 
United Kingdom - Modification of the EU's agricultural schedule of 
commitm ents New Zealand  96062  
U.S. domestic support programmes  China  96031  
U.S. domestic  support  programmes  European Union  96063  
U.S. domestic support programmes  European Union  96064  
U.S. domestic support programmes   Canada  96080  
U.S. domestic support programmes  India 96025  
U.S. Coronavirus Food Assistance Program  India 96026  
U.S. domestic support programmes  New Zealand  96065  
U.S. domestic support programme  New Zealand  96066  
Table 2 - Questions raised in connection with individual notifications  
Docum ent 
Symbol  Question by  Answer by  Notification Format  Keywords  ID 
Number  
G/AG/N/CAN/138  Australia  Canada  MA:2 - Imports under 
TQs Tariff quota fill  96067  
G/AG/N/JPN/253  China  Japan  MA:2 - Imports under 
TQs Tariff quota fill  96032  
G/AG/N/KOR/77  Australia  Korea, 
Republic of  MA:2 - Imports under 
TQs Tariff quota fill  96068  
G/AG/N/KOR/77  Paraguay  Korea, 
Republic of  MA:2 - Imports under 
TQs Tariff quota fill  96006  
G/AG/N/CHE/103  Australia  Switzerland  MA:2 - Imports under 
TQs Tariff quota fill  96069  
G/AG/N/THA/112  European 
Union  Thailand  MA:2 - Imports under 
TQs Tariff quota fill  96070  
G/AG/N/BRA/52  India Brazil  DS:1 - Exempt and 
non-exempt support - 
Current total AMS  Non-product -specific 
AMS 96029 * 
G/AG/N/DOM/37  United States 
of America  Dominican 
Republic  DS:1 - Exempt and 
non-exempt support - 
Current total AMS  General services: 
other  96034 * G/AG/R/97  
 
- 12 - 
 
  Docum ent 
Symbol  Question by  Answer by  Notification Format  Keywords  ID 
Number  
G/AG/N/DOM/37  United States 
of America  Dominican 
Republic  DS:1 - Exempt and 
non-exempt support - 
Current total AMS  Non-product -specific 
AMS 96037 * 
G/AG/N/DOM/38  United States 
of America  Dominican 
Republic  DS:1 - Exempt and 
non-exempt support - 
Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table 
DS:2)  96038 * 
G/AG/N/IND/18  Paraguay  India DS:1 - Exempt and 
non-exempt support - 
Current total AMS  Input subsidies 
available to low -
income or resource -
poor producers  96009 * 
G/AG/N/IND/18  Paragua y India DS:1 - Exempt and 
non-exempt support - 
Current total AMS  Market price support  96008 * 
G/AG/N/ISR/80  United States 
of America  Israel  DS:1 - Exempt and 
non-exempt support - 
Current total AMS  Scheduled 
commitment level  96039  
G/AG/N/JPN/254  China  Japan  DS:1 - Exempt and  
non-exempt support - 
Current total AMS  Payments based on 
85 per cent or less of 
the base level of 
production  96033  
G/AG/N/MUS/15  Australia  Mauritius  DS:1 - Exempt and 
non-exempt support - 
Current total AMS  Classification of 
measures  96072 * 
G/AG/N/TUR/37  Paraguay  Turkey  DS:1 - Exempt and 
non-exempt support - 
Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table 
DS:2)  96010 * 
G/AG/N/TUR/48  Canada  Turkey  DS:1 - Exempt and 
non-exempt support - 
Current total AMS  Scheduled 
commitment level  96079 * 
G/AG/N/NZL/122  India New Zealand  DS:2 - New or modified 
DS Transparency issues 
(including Table 
DS:2)  96030  
G/AG/N/BRA/60  European 
Union  Brazil  ES:1 - Export subsidies  Product 
coverage/scheduled 
commitments  96071  
Table 3 - Deferred replies to questions raised under the review process  
Document 
Symbol  Question by  Answer by  Notification Format  Keywords  ID 
Number  
G/AG/N/RUS/29  Australia  Russian 
Federation  DS:1 - Exempt and 
non-exempt support - 
Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table 
DS:2)  96073  
G/AG/N/RUS/29  Australia  Russian 
Federation  DS:1 - Exempt and 
non-exempt support - 
Current total AMS  Non-product -specific 
AMS 96074  
Table 4 - Questions raised under agenda item "Overdue notifications"  
Question by  Answer by  ID Number  
India Australia  96024  
India European Union  96028  
Table 5 - Questions raised in connection with the monitoring of the Export Competition 
Decision  
Question by  Answer by  ID Number  
European Union  India 96002 * 
Chile New Zealand  96003  
China  United States of America  96035  
 
  G/AG/R/97  
 
- 13 - 
 
  ANNEX 2  
CHAIR REPORT ON THE INFORMAL  MEETING ON  
THE BALI DECISION ON TRQ ADMINISTRATION OF 30 NOVEMBER   
(AGENDA ITEM – 2D(I))  
The Committee considered the issue of the follow -up to the Bali TRQ Decision at its informal meeting 
on 30 November. The discussion focused on the follow -up to the recommendations of  the review 
contained in Annex 2 to G/AG/29. Members also continued their examination of the TRQ underfill 
Tracking Register based on a revised draft circulated by the Secretariat.  
On the issue of the future operation of paragraph 4 of the underfill mecha nism, one Member 
regretted the lack of agreement in 2019; noting its inability to accept another extension 
beyond  2021, it suggested that the issue be considered by ministers at MC12 if it was not resolved 
at the level of the committee. Another Member unde rlined the need for enhanced engagement and 
suggested that the Chairperson might follow the format of informal meetings and consultations 
pursued during the original review discussions in order to make progress on this outstanding issue.  
The importance of  follow -up to the TRQ review recommendations in addressing the asymmetry of 
information between exporters and importers was emphasized by one delegation. Another Member 
considered that the issue of harmonisation of TRQ notification practices, as proposed i n paragraph  2b 
of the agreed recommendations, could form part of the transparency package at MC12. The Member 
noted that it was contemplating a written submission to the Special Session of the Committee on 
transparency including this aspect of the TRQ reco mmendations.  
On the TRQ underfill tracking register, there were no additional comments or suggestions on the 
draft circulated by the Secretariat. One Member expressed its inability to agree to the Committee's 
adoption of the tracking register at the Novem ber-December 2020 meeting especially considering 
that it did not find the existing scope of the underfill mechanism acceptable. Another Member 
expressed its preparedness to adopt the tracking register during the formal meeting this week; 
underlining the im portance of the underfill mechanism, this Member considered that the 
implementation of the mechanism should not be delayed by other discussions.  
The Chairperson suggested that in view of no further comments on the draft tracking register, the 
Secretariat may preserve the draft and redistribute it to all Members. The draft tracking register 
may be presented for Members' consideration and approval at a future meeting of the Committee 
when the underfill mechanism is invoked.  
 
  G/AG/R/97  
 
- 14 - 
 
  ANNEX 3  
CHAIR REPORT ON THE I NFORMAL MEETING ON 'ENHANCING TRANSPARENCY  
AND THE COA REVIEW PROCESS ' OF 30 NOVEMBER  
(AGENDA ITEM 2.E)  
At yesterday's informal meeting, the Committee continued its deliberations on possible elements to 
enhance transparency and the Com mittee review process, a topic that has been taken up in a 
number of informal meetings.  
Members showed a high level of engagement at yesterday's discussions which was largely in 
response to a presentation made by Paraguay in relation to questions and answ ers (Q&A) raised in 
the context of the CoA review process.  
Paraguay presented an analysis of Q&A raised in the CoA over the last three years reviewing a total 
of 311 questions. The study examined the quality of responses based on a list of criteria develop ed 
by Paraguay for the purposes of this analysis . Among its findings, Paraguay highlighted that 50% of 
responses were considered as  incomplete or partially complete, with the majority of those responses 
either provided no specifics,  or stated that the meas ure would be notified in the future or that the 
information was not available. In th at regard, Paraguay also recalled a 2017 submission by Ukraine 
in G/AG/W/167 which, inter alia,  proposed a categorization of Members ' responses as being complete 
or partial . Paraguay considered that a system permitting such a categorization of responses by the 
questioning Members would contribute to enhancing transparency of the Q&A process. Paraguay 
also suggested that the Committee to undertake exploratory discussions on q uality of responses and 
other best practices for the Q&A process.  
Several Members supported Paraguay's suggestions on improving the Committee Q&A process, 
including the proposed categorization of responses, and exploring best practices in this regard. The se 
Members were of the view that the presentation by Paraguay provided a good basis to organize 
discussions on the subject.  
In response to the statistics provided in Paraguay's presentation, some Members expressed the need 
to acknowledge the capacity issu es faced by developing country Members in this area, while another 
Member highlighted the possible relationship between the number of questions received and the 
quality of responses thereto. Other Members considered that an improved quality of notification s 
could have a positive impact on the number  of and the need for follow -up questions. In this regard, 
Members also called for  the timely submission of notifications especially domestic support 
notifications as per the timelines contained G /AG/2.  
One Member encouraged a timely  submission of responses and supported the possibility of 
establishing a deadline for the submission of responses. Another Member noted the role the 
Secretariat could play in reminding Members of their pending responses. As it  relates to the 
suggestion to allow Members to categorize responses as complete or incomplete, one Member 
cautioned about its possible subjectivity.  
A number of Members recognized the value of the AG -IMS and its various functionalities to enhance 
the trans parency of the Committee review process and welcomed the recent improvements by the 
Secretariat to the System 's Q&A function. Some specific suggestions for further enhancements to 
the AG -IMS were also made.  
I concluded the meeting by noting that the Commi ttee would continue its engagement on these 
matters in an informal setting, including in small group format s as necessary.  
This concludes my report.  
 
 
__________