RESTRICTED  
  
G/AG/R/99  
 
13 July 2021  
(21-5547) Page: 1/24 
Committee on Agriculture    
 
SUMMARY REPORT OF THE MEETING HELD ON 17-18 JUNE  2021  
NOTE BY THE SECRETARIAT1 
1  ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA  
1.1.  The Committee on Agriculture (CoA) held its ninety -eighth (98th) regular meeting 
on 17-18 June 2021 under the Chairpersonship of Ms Maria Araceli Escandor of the Philippines.  
1.2.  The agenda contained in the convening airgram WTO/AIR/AG/5 2 circulated on 4 June 2021 
was adopted . Additionally, the Chairperson acknowledged the written submissions by the World Food 
Program me (G/AG/GEN/188) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (G/AG/GEN/189), both 
circulated after the issuance of the convening airgram , for consideration under agenda item  3.A – 
Other matters within the purview of the Committee: COVID -19 and agriculture .  
2  ELECTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON  
2.1.  The Chairperson recalled that the Rules of Procedures of the Committee on 
Agriculture  (G/L/142 ) envisage  the election of a Chairperson  at the end of the first Committee 
meeting every year.  The Chairperson reported that  the consultations on the slate of Chairs for the 
subsidiary bodies of the Council for Trade in Goods (CTG)  for 2021 were still ongoing.  
2.2.  In light of  the delay in the appointment of the new Chair person  of the CoA , the Chairperson 
propose d that the Committee  follow a written procedure to elect its Chair person  for 2021  whereby  
the Secretariat w ould send a message to all Members with the name of the proposed Chair person  
as soon as a consensus was reached  at the CTG on the 2021 slate . If no objections were received  
within a set timeline , the proposed Chairperson  would be deemed as elected by the Committee  and 
the Secretariat w ould accordingly send a confirmatory message to all Members.  
2.3.  The suggested proce dure was agreed.  
3  THE REVIEW PRO CESS  
3.1.  The Chairperson urged Members to provide timely and complete responses to questions raised 
during the Committee's review process and to submit them into the Agriculture Information 
Management System (AG -IMS)2 for interested Members to consult.  
3.2.  The Chairpe rson noted that for th e meeting, as of the morning of 17 June 2021, 49 out of the 
197 questions raised had responses available on  the AG -IMS. The Chairperson welcomed Members ' 
practice  of submit ting responses  in advance of CoA meetings  allowing for  deepen ed exchanges 
during meetings.   
3.3.  The Chairperson requested Members not to submit repl ies in AG -IMS noting that a "reply  would 
be submitted ", as t he Secretariat tracks outstanding replies based on "blank reply ce lls" in the 
System.    
 
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.  
2 http://agims.wto.org/ . G/AG/R/9 9 
 
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  3.4.  The Secretariat continued its practice of ascertaining the attendance of Members subject to 
advance questions  prior to Committee meetings . No Member had informed of its absence at the June 
meeting.  
4  MATTERS RELEVANT TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMITMENTS UNDER THE REFORM 
PROGRAMME - ARTICLE 18.6  
4.1.  A total of 49 specific implementation matters (SIMs) were raised at the 9 8th CoA meeting under 
Article 18.6.3 The full version of the questions raised can be found in Section 1 of the compilation 
document G/AG/W/21 2. Out of the 49 SIMs, 21 were raised for the first time. Members' responses 
and follow -up comments may be consulted in the AG -IMS 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.  
4.1  Review of Notifications  
4.2.  The Chairperson reported that since the previous Committee meeting held 
on 29-30 March  2021, 86 notifications had been r eceived. Out of those  notifications , 34 related to 
market access, 3 0 concerned domestic support, 21 related to export competition,  and 1 concerned 
the NFIDC  Decision. Those notifications had been distributed electronically to all delegations and 
were avail able for consultation through the  AG-IMS.  
4.1.1   Notifications in respect of which questions have been raised in advance of the 
issuance of the convening airgram  
4.3.  Table 2 of Annex 1  to this report includes the list of questions relating to individual notification s 
raised in advance of the issuance of the convening airgram .4 Members' responses and follow -up 
comments can be accessed through the AG -IMS by using the relevant question ID numbers as 
provided in the table as well as through the hyperlinks contained in t he table.  
4.1.2   Deferred replies to questions raised under the review process  
4.4.  The Secretariat document G/AG/W/204/Rev. 3 presents  a list of questions raised under the 
CoA review process from 2013 to 2020 where responses  remain outstanding.  As of 2 June  2021, a 
total of 11 0 questions still ha d outstanding responses  from 38 Members  for the period 2013 -2019.  
For the questions posed in 2020, 53 responses from 25 Members were pending as of 2 June 2021. 
These figures consider  the response s by the United States  to a question by Canada 
(AG-IMS ID 86084 ) and by El Salvador and Honduras to questions by Japan (AG-IMS IDs 94007 
and 96050 respectively ).  
4.5.  The Chairperson urged Members to make dedicated efforts to shorten, and eventually close, 
the list of pending respo nses. To assist Members in this endeavour, the Secretariat ha s introduced 
a feature in the AG -IMS to generate automatic reminders to Members with outstanding responses .  
4.6.  Brazil re quested  Indonesia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to respond to  its questions posed 
at the March Committee  meeting (AG -IMS ID s 97116 and 97156 respectively) . Canada provided 
responses to two questions from the U nited States on its wine sale policy (AG -IMS ID s 93004 
and 93005).  
4.1.3   Overdue notifications  
4.7.  The Committee took not e of the Secretariat document summarizing the status of Members' 
compliance with notification obligations .5 
 
3 WTO/AIR/AG/ 52, Section A of Attachment  1. 
4 WTO/AIR/AG/ 52, Section B of Attachment  1. The full version of the questions raised can be found 
under section 2 of the compilation document G/AG/W/2 12. 
5 G/AG/GEN/86/Rev.4 2. G/AG/R/9 9 
 
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  4.8.  The Chairperson acknowledged Members' efforts to bring their notifications up to date , noting 
that several Members had submitted agriculture notifi cations covering multiple years since the 
March  2021 meeting, including:  
• Colombia : Table DS:1, covering the period 2017 -2019;  
• Republic of Korea : Table DS:1 covering 2016-2018;  
• Kyrgyz Republic : Table DS:1 covering the periods for 2013- 2014 and 2018 -2019;  
• Nigeria : Table DS:1 covering the period 2018-2020; and  
• South Africa : Table MA:5 covering the period 2015-2020. 
4.9.  The Chairperson also drew Members' attention to the overall situation with respect to 
outstan ding domestic support and export subsidy notifications for the period 1995 to 2019:  
• 895 Table DS:1 domestic support notifications remained outstanding; and  
• 918 export subsidy notifications in the Table ES:1 series remained outstanding.  
4.10.  Three  questions were  raised under this agenda item.6 Members' responses and follow -up 
comments can be accessed through the AG -IMS using the relevant question ID numbers as provided 
in Table 3 of Annex 1 to this report.  
4.11.  The Chairperson emphasized the importance of transparenc y and timely notifications and 
encouraged Members to fulfil their notification obligations.  
4.1.4   Notifications subject to review in respect of which no questions have been raised 
in advance of the issuance of the convening airgram  
4.12.  The Committee took note of the  63 notifications circulated before the issuance of the 
convening airgram on 4 June 2021, including notifications carried over from the 29-30 March  2021 
meeting, but in respect of which no questions had been raised by that date , under paragraph  9 of 
the Committee's working procedures .7 
4.1.5   Notifications circulated after the issuance of the convening airgram  
4.13.  The Table DS:1 notification from Chinese Taipei for 2017 (G/AG/N/ TPKM /202) was circulated 
after the issuance of the convening a irgram on 4 June 2021 and would be reverted to for review at 
the next  regular meeting in September , in accordance with the Committee's working procedures.  
4.1.6   Points concerning notifications raised at previous meetings which have been 
pursued bilaterally: info rmation regarding outcome where the issue involved is one of 
general interest  
4.14.  There were no requests for the floor under this agenda item.  
4.1.7   Counter -notifications under Article 18.7 of the Agreement on Agriculture  
4.15.  No counter -notifications under Article 18.7 were made for this Committee meeting.  
5  OTHER MATTERS WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE COMMITTEE  
5.1  COVID -19 and Agriculture  
5.1.  The World Food Programme (WFP) presented a written submission8 and under lined that the 
magnitude and severity of food cris is had worsened in 2020 due to the compounding effects of 
protracted conflict, the economic fallout of COVID -19, and weather. The WFP noted that the threat 
 
6 The full version of the questions raised can be found under section 3 of the compilation document  
G/AG/W/2 12. 
7 WTO/AIR/AG/ 52, Section C of Attachment  1. 
8 G/AG/GEN/188.  G/AG/R/9 9 
 
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  of famine was persisting in some regions and estimat ed that 270 million people were either affected 
by acut e food insecurity or were at high risk in  2021, including 34 million people teetering on the 
very edge of famine. Referring to the 2021 Global Report on  Food Crises  (GRFC) , the WFP noted 
that economic shocks, including those resulting from the Covid -19 pandemic, were among the major 
driver of the food crisis situation in 2020. Further, the increasing food prices, as reflected in the FAO 
Food Price Index (FFPI), were another cause of concern for vulnerable people's access to food. The 
WFP underlined that it was  of paramount importance to ensure  well-functioning  food supply chains . 
It also highlighted the importance of  facilitat ing the smooth movement of WFP's goods for 
humanitarian purposes.  Referring to the discussions in December 2020 at the WTO General Council, 
the WFP welcomed any developments  at the forthcoming  12th Ministerial Conference  in support of 
the proposa l to exempt WFP's food purchases from export restrictions .  
5.2.  The FAO in its written contribution9 noted that  global merchandise trade remained remarkably 
resilient to the pandemic 's logistical and economic impacts, with world agri -food markets and trade  
emerging  as the most robust sector. Ample g lobal food supplies , positive production prospects, and 
the efforts of governments worldwide to keep markets open and trade flowing smoothly could explain 
the observed resilience of international agri -food markets and trade during the pandemic . 
Nonetheless, the FAO indicated that disruptions ha d emerged in many countries pos ing challenges 
to food security . The FAO also reported a significant increase in the prices of most commodities, and 
in particular agric ultural commodities, since mid -2020 which had reach ed multi-year highs in both 
nominal and real terms. The FAO's Food Price Index  (FFPI), and the constituent Cereal Price Index, 
the Vegetable Oil Price Index, t he Dairy Price Index, t he Meat Price Index , and the Sugar Price Index , 
had all recorded average rises in May 2021  compared to the same period in 2020 , suggesting a n 
inflated global food import bill in 2021  underpinned by increasing per unit costs . 
5.3.  The World Bank reported that, as of June 2021, the Wor ld Bank Agricultural Commodity Price 
Index remained near to its highest level since  2013. The World Bank indicated that cereal prices 
remained close to 43 % higher than their January 2020 levels  and noted that East Africa continued 
to experience food insecurity due to inter alia ongoing conflicts, the impact of the locust crisis, the 
effects of COVID -19, and macroeconomic factors.  The World Bank underscored the importance of 
social protection programm es as an effective tool for relief response and to build community 
resilience against economic shocks. It also stated its continued support to respond to immediate 
food security needs and to build more resilient agriculture and food system s.   
5.4.  Several Memb ers appreciated and welcomed the continued participation of Observer 
organizations in the work of the CoA.  
5.5.  Singapore highlighted the importance of a WTO decision to exempt WFP's food purchases from 
export restrictions to contribute to the United Nations Su stainable Development Goal number  2 on 
"Zero hunger" and pleaded with Members  to support  that initiative. Singapore stressed that the 
ongoing challenges from the COVID -19 pandemic and the associated food security risks had 
increased humanitarian food needs  in many regions worldwide. Singapore also referred to its 
December 2020 proposal on this matter before the WTO General Council  followed by a Joint 
Statement .10 China, Japan, European Union, New Zealand, Nigeria, Paraguay and Uruguay echoed 
Singapore's cal l for a decision to exempt WFP's food purchases from export restrictions. T he United 
States stated its commitment to work with Members to ensure that the WFP can respond  to 
emergency food security situations.  
5.6.  New Zealand h ighlight ed the impact of trade measures taken in the wake of the  COVID -19 
pandemic to the food supply chain. It recalled a report by the Organisation for Economic 
Co-operation and Development (O ECD) which examin ed the different scenarios of food demands 
and market shocks , and pointed out that measures adopted in response to the COVID -19 pandemic 
should not restrict trade  in order to ensure  food availability.  
5.7.  The European Union ( EU) recalled actions by WTO Members in the agricultur al sector since the 
beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic  which , it believed , had helped the world to be in a much better 
situation  in reducing the adverse effects of the pandemic  on the agri -food supply chains . The EU 
stated that  based on the FAO submission  no reduction in food production  had been experienced , and 
rather record production  levels had been achieved for several staple grains. Th is favourable situation 
 
9 G/AG/GEN/1 89. 
10 WT/L/1109.  G/AG/R/9 9 
 
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  was attributable to the resilien ce and efforts  of farmers across the globe. The EU also referred to 
efforts by  governments towards the smooth movement of food products  across border s which had 
helped ensur e that agriculture  trade was relatively less affected compared to other sectors of the 
economy. The EU alluded to the change in consumption patterns  during the pandemic towards more 
home cooking and retail buying and thus posing adjustment challenges to food processing industr ies. 
Referring to Members' use of export restrictions and  measures to support  freight charges on exports 
during the pandemic, t he EU considered the need for more work  and possibly  new transparency 
requirements and disciplines on export restrictions and export competition . The EU stressed  that the  
use of export prohibition s and restriction s on foodstuffs was harmful to global food security and  
urged  that those measures  be promptly notified to the WTO . The EU  referred to the Export 
Restrictions Tracker published by the International Food Policy Research Institute  (IFPRI) and  
expressed  concern  that only some  of the measures reported on the tracker  had been notified  to the 
WTO since the beginning of the  pandemic . This was not desirable for the WTO especially in the year 
of a ministerial conference. The EU also urged for reflection on how to deal with the lo gistics of the 
food supply chain during a future pandemic . Finally,  the EU stressed the importance of  the WTO 
showing leadership  as trade was part  of the solution , with the current challenges  being suitably 
accounted for i n the ongoing  agriculture negotiations . 
5.8.  Australia  noted that enhanced transparency was key for ensuring a resilient supply chain  and 
considered that t he submissions presented by the WFP and the FAO serve d as a good basis for 
discussions in the Committee. With regards to the WFP submission, Australia noted tha t many parts 
of the world were facing food shortages  and called on Members to ensure  compliance with the 
AoA provision s and to assess  the relevance of new rules to build a more resilient agricultur al trade 
in the future.  
5.9.  The delegate from Brazil  thanked the WFP for their productive cooperation during his tenure 
as the facilitator on export prohibitions and restriction s in the agriculture negotiations . 
5.10.  With regards to the FAO and the World Bank presentations , Uruguay  highlighted the effects 
of the pandemic on global food prices, the resilience  of the food sector , and the efforts of agricultural 
producers and exporters  towards smooth food trade. Uruguay concurred with others that trade was 
part of the solution to  address current  global challenges .  
5.11.  China  stated  that food trade was an important tool for ensuring food security  as presented in 
the analyses and reports by the WFP, the FAO and the World Bank . China also recalled a recent note 
by the WTO highlighting that food trade was responsible for feeding one out of every six people in 
the world. That also mean t that the food security of 83% of the global population was depend ent on 
domestic production, hence the importance of improving local food production capacity, especially 
in developing country Members. Lastly, China noted the WTO's crucial role in address ing food 
security  challenges  on a global scale  and the importance of public stockholding programmes as a 
fundamental tool for Members to ensure food security.  
5.12.  Nigeria stated  that its objective in the ongoing agricultural discussions was to address the 
structural causes of food insecurity and expected that the agricultural outcomes would support 
resilience and food security in developing countries. Referring to the FAO 's projections and data on 
undernourished people, Nigeria called  Members' attention to the unprecedented food security crisis 
unfolding  in Africa  and commended the WFP's lifesaving efforts . On the proposal to exempt WFP 
purchases from export restrictions, Nigeria expressed its readiness to support the December  2020 
compromise negotiating text  developed  under the aegis of the G90.  
5.13.  The United States echoed  the statement that tr ade is part of t he solution.  
5.14.  The Secretariat reported that it had been following up on Members' request to maintain a 
separated agriculture tracker  on the WTO dedicated webpage compili ng trade measures adopted to 
address the effects of the COVID -19 pandemic . A separate mechanism to host and regularly update 
COVID -19 agricultural measures had been created and made a vailable  to Members as of 
4 June 2021. The Secretariat note d that the lis t of agricultural measures was entirely based on the 
existing WTO Trade Monitoring exercise and the associated verification system which had been in 
place already for more than 10 years. For that purpose, the agricultural measures had been extracted 
from t he consolidated goods tracker by looking at the descriptions of the measures or the associated 
Harmonized System  (HS) codes. General measures potentially covering all sectors of the economy, G/AG/R/9 9 
 
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  including the agriculture sector, had not been included in the ag ricultur al list. The product definition 
of agricultural products was based on the product coverage  in Annex 1 of the Agreement on 
Agriculture.  
5.15.  Brazil  and Paraguay thanked the Sec retariat for its e fforts to launch a separate  agricultural  
tracker on the WTO trade monitoring webpage for COVID -19 measures. They regretted that the 
agriculture tracker did not include the support  measures that were voluntarily reported  by Members 
to the CoA  in their ad hoc  reports . The Secretariat clarified that the COVI D-19 measures forming 
part of  the agriculture tracker were simply extracted from the overall Covid -19 goods tracker, and 
hence were identical in scope to the overall WTO Trade Monitoring exercise. The inclusion of support 
measures as a part of th e overall trade monitoring exercise was a horizontal question. The 
Secretariat expressed its readiness to prepare an updated compilation  of Members' COVID -19 
agricultural measures, including support measures, based on their ad hoc  reports, prior to the 
September  2021 CoA meeting.   
5.16.  The Chairperson encouraged all Members to be transparent about their COVID -19 agricultural 
measures and to present information on those measures for the Committee's collective assessment.  
5.2  Implementation -related issues (G/AG/16, G/AG/16/ADD. 1, G/AG/22)11 
5.17.  There  were no requests  for the floor under this agenda item.  
5.3  Implementation of Ministerial outcomes  
5.3.1   Bali Ministerial Decision on TRQ administration (WT/MIN(13)/39 and G/AG/29), 
including Chair report of the informal meeting  
5.18.  The issue was discussed at the informal meeting of the Committee on 17 June . 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. Considering the end of the year deadline for a decision 
on paragraph 4 of the underfill mechanism, the Chairperson encouraged Members to deepen their 
engagement on this issue in order to facilitate convergence within the stipulated deadline. She also 
stated that a dditional consu ltations would  be organized, as necessary, before the September  
Committee meeting.   
5.19.  Costa Rica expressed its support to the report on the informal discussions by the Chairperson 
and invited all Members to actively engage in the ongoing discussion s on the application of the TRQ 
underfill  mechanism s for importing developing Member s, so that an agreement  on paragraph  4 of 
the Decision could be a rrived at expeditiousl y. 
5.3.2   Follow up on the Nairobi Decision on export competition , including Chair report on 
the informal meeting   
5.20.  The Chairperson reported that a s part of the monitoring of the Nairobi Decision on Export 
Competition, Members ha d the possibility to raise questions during any meeting under this agenda 
item, but that n o question ha d been raised prior to  the meeting.  
5.21.  Concerning the modification of Schedules pursuant to the Nairobi Ministerial Decision , the 
situation had not changed since the last Committee meeting . 12 out of the 16 Members with export 
subsidy reduction commitments at the time of adoption of the Nairobi Decision, ha d their revised 
schedule s certified12; two Members, namely Canada and the EU, had circulated their draft schedule 
in 2017 but these were not  yet certified; and the remaining two Members, namely Brazil and the 
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, ha d yet to circulate their draft schedules. Brazil informed the 
Committee that they had no new update s since their last report at the March meeting. T he Nairobi 
Decision had been approved by the Brazilian Congress and Brazil would circulate its revised  Schedule 
of commitment  once the Executive Decree was published .  
 
11 See the Mi nisterial Decision of 14 November 2001 as contained in WT/MIN(01)/17.  
12 Australia, Colombia, Iceland, Indonesia, Israel, Mexico, Norway, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, 
United States of America and Uruguay.  G/AG/R/9 9 
 
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  5.22.  Regarding  preparation s for the next  export competition dedicated discussion  scheduled for 
the September 2021 CoA meeting, the Chairperson recalled that an email initiating the exercise had 
been circulated on 14 January 2021 . On 28 May 2021 she had extend ed the deadline for submi tting 
replie s to the questionnaire  until 25 June 2021 . The Chairperson noted that this was  the first time 
that all Members were expected to reply to the questionnaire  and that a n increase in the rate of 
replies to the questionnaire this year would constitute a very substantive collective achievement on 
transparency. The Chairperson therefore stressed the importance of bringing this to  Members' 
attention  and providing support to tho se who were not yet accustomed to the exercise.  
5.23.  With regards to the second triennial review of the Nairobi Decision on Export Competition  
pursuant to  paragraph 5 of the Decision , the Chairperson provided an oral report on the discussions 
that took place during the informal meeting of the Committee  on 17 June . The oral report can be 
found  in Annex  3 to this report . The Chairperson's detailed introductory statement at the 17 June 
informal  meeting is also included as Annex 4 to this this report.  
5.3.3   Implementatio n of Other Ministerial Outcomes  
5.24.  There were no requests for the floor under this agenda item.  
5.4  Chair report on the informal meeting of 17 June - Enhancing transparency and the 
CoA Review Process  
5.25.  During the informal meeting of 17 June , the Committee continued  its deliberations on 
enhancing transparency and the Committee's review process. At the formal meeting, the 
Chairperson provided an oral report on the discussions, which is contained in Annex  5 to this report.  
5.5  Other Business  
5.5.1   Joint communication  "Principles and values of the region for food production in the 
framework of sustainable development – Declaration of the Ministers of the Southern 
Agricultural Council" (G/AG/GEN/187 and WT/CTE/GEN/24)  
5.26.  Paraguay presented the joint communicat ion entitled "Principles and values of the region 
regarding the production of food within the framework of sustainable development - Southern 
Agricultural Council (CAS) – Forty-second Regular Meetin g" circulated at the request of the 
delegations of Argenti na, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay . The declaration contain s the 
principles and values shared by the Ministers of Agriculture in the region  and delves  on the themes 
of food security, sustainable development, shared but differentiated responsibilities,  fair transition 
and respect for local diversity, payment for ecosystem services gender and indigenous communities, 
international cooperation and international trade. The cosponsors called on the international 
community to finalize the global agreements an d mechanisms necessary  to put these principles and 
values into practice . 
5.27.  Argentina, Brazil, Chile,  and Uruguay , as co -signatories of the statement, support ed 
Paraguay 's intervention. Brazil did not approve of narratives which seek to link sustainability to  an 
exclusive form of production model ignoring the challenges of tropical agriculture and  the plurality 
of possible solutions  to the existing agricultural problems . Brazil expressed concern on the existence 
of distorting subsidy and border practices which  undermined its export potential as well as the 
adoption of agricultural technologies  necessary for the sustainable intensification of production.  
Brazil also referred to its synchronous commitment to sustainable development and food security. 
Uruguay echoed Brazil's statement on the diversity of agricultural production practices and the need 
to address agricultural restrictions and distortions . Argentina referred to demographic challenges in 
the region and its commitment to produce an increasing amount of high -quality food.  G/AG/R/9 9 
 
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  5.5.2   Date of next regular meetings  
5.28.  The Chairperson proposed that the ninety -nineth (99th) regular meeting of the Committee on 
Agriculture be held on 23-24 September  202113. On that basis, the reminder airgram w ill be issued 
on 23 August 2021. In view of 9 and 10 September 2021  being  WTO holidays , the convening airgram 
will be issued on 8 September 2021.  
5.29.  Finally, the Chairperson  noted  that in view of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference being slated 
for the week of 29 November, the usual November meeting of the CoA would not take place this 
year. T he two standing items normally covered during the November Committee meeting s (the 
Annual Monitoring Exercise on the Follow -up to the Marrakesh NFIDC decision and the Annual 
Consultation under Article 18.5 of the AoA)  will be included on the agenda of the first CoA meeting 
for 2022.   
 
13 G/AG/GEN/178 /Rev.1  contains the tentative dates of the remaining Committee meetings in 2021.  G/AG/R/9 9 
 
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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 1 3 July 2021 have been identified with the symbol "*".  Members are invited to 
submit outstanding repl ies through the AG -IMS at the earliest opportunity.  
Table 1  - Specific Implementation Matters (Article 18.6)  
Specific Implementation Matter  Question by  ID 
Number  
Argentina - Export restrictions on beef  Japan  98117  
Argentina - Export restrictions on beef  European Union  98116  
Brazil's wheat quota  India 98024  
Canada's compensation for farmers after trade concessions  Australia  98085  
Canada's review of the TRQ system  United States of 
America  98118  
Canada - Emergency Food Security Fund  India 98001  
Canada's support to the wine sector  India 98002  
China's cotton policies  Australia  98088  
China's TRQ notifications  Australia  98090 * 
Egypt's Sugar import restrictions  European Union  98119 * 
EU's environmental policies   India 98030  
France - Minimum selling prices for rural products  Brazil  98120  
France - Indication of the origin of meats offered in cafeterias and 
foodservices  Brazil  98121  
Italy - Assistance to local processing companies that purchase Italian 
inputs  Brazil  98122  
Germany - Domestic support to the livestock sector  Brazil  98123  
Austria's draft resolution to change the criteria for granting the "AMA seal  Brazil  98124  
India's pulses policies   Australia  98084  
India's pulses policies  Canada  98086  
India's pulses policies   European Union  98125  
India's pulses policies  European Union  98105  
India's pulses policies  Russian Federation  98096  
India's pulses policies  Ukraine  98097  
India's pulses policies  United States of 
America  98098  
India's export subsidies for skim milk powder  European Union  98091  
India's wheat public stockpiling   Canada  98087 * 
India's wheat public stockpiling   Canada  98089  
India's wheat public stockpiling  European Union  98101 * 
India's wheat public stockpiling  European Union  98100  
India's wheat public stockpiling   United States of 
America  98099  
India's wheat [and rice] public stockpiling   United States of 
America  98103  
India's export prohibitions on onions  United States of 
America  98107  
India's export prohibitions on onions  Japan  98095  
India - Agriculture Infrastructure Fund  Australia  98093  
India's cotton support   Australia  98092  
Indonesia's imports of citrus, melons, strawberries and persimmons  Japan  98126  
Japan's Rice Paddy Renovation for New Market Development  United States of 
America  98127  
Moldova's amendments to the Law on Internal Trade  Ukraine  98128  
Mongolia's quota regime for importation  Russian Federation  98074 * 
Morocco - Increase in wheat tariffs  Australia  98094 * G/AG/R/9 9 
 
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  Specific Implementation Matter  Question by  ID 
Number  
Nigeria's import prohibitions on certain agricultural products  Brazil  98129 * 
Nigeria's Foreign currency exchange restrictions to wheat and sugar 
imports  United States of 
America  98130 * 
Philippines - Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) 
permits  United States of 
America  98131  
Russian Federation - Permanent export quota for cereals1 India 98028 * 
Russian Federation's export restrictions  Japan  98133 * 
Russian Federation's export restrictions  Ukraine  98134 * 
Russian Federation's export restrictions  United States of 
America  98135 * 
Russian Federation's support on exports of high value -added agricultural 
products  India 98027 * 
Russian Federation's  grain export duties  India 98026 * 
Russian Federation's formula -based grain export tax  European Union  98132 * 
Russian Federation's formula -based grain export tax  United States of 
America  98136  
South Africa's  review of tariff structure for poultry meat imports  Brazil  98137  
Tajikistan's poultry tariffs  United States of 
America  98139  
Tajikistan's new Tax Code  United States of 
America  98138  
Turkey's ban on olive oil exports  United States of 
America  98140 * 
Ukraine's licensing requirement for exports of sunflower seeds  United States of 
America  98141  
Ukraine's Memorandum of Understanding with the effect of an export 
restriction  United States of 
America  98142  
United Kingdom - Modification of the EU's agricul tural schedule of 
commitments  New Zealand  98033  
United Kingdom - Agricultural Act 2020  Canada  98032  
United Kingdom - Agricultural Act 2020  New Zealand  98031  
U.S. support to cotton sector   India 98004  
U.S. Excise duty exemptions for alcohol on Puerto Rico the US Virgin 
Islands  India 98005  
U.S. Coronavirus Food Assistance Program  India 98006  
U.S. Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative  India 98003  
U.S. Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative  New Zealand  98145  
U.S. Conservation Reserve Program   Brazil  98143  
U. S. American Rescue Plan Debt Payments  European Union  98144  
Viet Nam's input subsidies  European Union  98146  
 
1 This question was erroneously repeated in the convening airgram and the question compilation with 
AG-IMS ID 98025.   
  G/AG/R/99  
 
- 11 - Table 2  - Questions raised in connection with individual notifications  
Document Symbol  Question by  Answer by  Notification Format  Keywords  ID Number  
G/AG/N/EU/65/ADD.1  United States of America  European Union  MA:1 - TQ administration  Transparency issues  98075  
G/AG/N/EU/65/ADD.1  United States of America  European Union  MA:1 - TQ administration  Transparency issues  98076  
G/AG/N/EU/65/ADD.1  United St ates of America  European Union  MA:1 - TQ administration  Transparency issues  98077  
G/AG/N/EU/65/ADD.1  United States of America  European Union  MA:1 - TQ administration  Transparency issues  98078  
G/AG/N/GBR/2  United States of Amer ica United Kingdom  MA:1 - TQ administration  Transparency issues  98079  
G/AG/N/BRA/59  India Brazil  MA:2 - Imports under TQs  Tariff quota fill  98007  
G/AG/N/ECU/57  Brazil  Ecuador  MA:2 - Imports under TQs  Transparency issues  98080  
G/AG/N/EU/68  Paraguay  European Union  MA:2 - Imports under TQs  Transparency issues  98149  
G/AG/N/EU/68  United States of America  European Union  MA:2 - Imports under TQs  Transparency issues  98081  
G/AG/N/IND/20  Australia  India MA:2 - Imports under TQs  Tariff quota fill  98034  
G/AG/N/IND/20  United States of America  India MA:2 - Imports under TQs  Tariff quota fill  98035  
G/AG/N/JPN/263  Australia  Japan  MA:2 - Imports under T Qs Tariff quota fill  98082  
G/AG/N/JPN/263  New Zealand  Japan  MA:2 - Imports under TQs  Tariff quota fill  98083  
G/AG/N/MAR/58  Australia  Morocco  MA:2 - Imports under TQs  Tariff quota fill  98102 * 
G/AG/N/NIC/57  Australia  Nicaragua  MA:2 - Imports under TQs  Tariff quota fill  98104 * 
G/AG/N/NOR/116  Brazil  Norway  MA:2 - Imports under TQs  Transparency issues  98108  
G/AG/N/NOR/116  European Union  Norway  MA:2 - Imports under TQs  Transparency issues  98109  
G/AG/N/NOR/116  Australia  Norway  MA:2 - Imports under TQs  Tariff quota fill  98106 
G/AG/N/NOR/116  Paraguay  Norway  MA:2 - Imports under TQs  Tariff quota fill  98150  
G/AG/N/RUS/27  India Russian Federation  MA:2 - Imports under TQs  Tariff quota fill  98008 * 
G/AG/N/RUS/32  Brazil  Russian Federation  MA:2 - Imports unde r TQs  Tariff quota fill  98110 * 
G/AG/N/USA/148  India United States of America  MA:2 - Imports under TQs  Tariff quota fill  98009  
G/AG/N/ARG/45  Canada  Argentina  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98111  
G/AG/N/BRA/58  India Brazil  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  General services: 
extension and advisory 
services  98010  
G/AG/N/BRA/58  India Brazil  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Input subsidies available 
to low -income or 
resource -poor producers  98011  
G/AG/N/BRA/63  European Union  Brazil  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98112 * 
G/AG/N/BRA/63  India Brazil  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98012  
G/AG/N/BRA/63  India Brazil  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Public stockholding for 
food security purposes  98014  
G/AG/N/BRA/63  India Brazil  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Non-product -specific AMS  98015   
  G/AG/R/99  
 
- 12 - Document Symbol  Question by  Answer by  Notification Format  Keywords  ID Number  
G/AG/N/CHN/47  United States of America  China  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Classification of measures  98013  
G/AG/N/CIV/27  Canada  Côte d'Ivoire  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98114 * 
G/AG/N/CIV/27  European Union  Côte d'Ivoire  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98113 * 
G/AG/N/EU/61  India European Union  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98016  
G/AG/N/EU/69  Australia  European Union  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98147  
G/AG/N/EU/69  Paraguay  European Union  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Direct payments: 
decoupled income support  98198  
G/AG/N/EU/69  Paraguay  European Union  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Direct payments: 
structural adjustment 
assistance provided 
throu gh investment aids  98153  
G/AG/N/EU/69  Paraguay  European Union  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Direct payments: 
payments under 
environmental 
programmes  98154  
G/AG/N/EU/69  Australia  European Union  DS:1 - Exempt and non-exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Other product -specific 
AMS/EMS  98148  
G/AG/N/EU/69  Australia  European Union  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Non-product -specific AMS  98151  
G/AG/N/EU/69  India European Union  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Non-product -specific AMS  98017  
G/AG/N/EU/69  Australia  European Union  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Classification of measures  98152  
G/AG/N/GIN/10  Canada  Guinea  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98115 * 
G/AG/N/GIN/10  United States of America  Guinea  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98155 * 
G/AG/N/IND/18  Australia  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current tot al AMS  Domestic food aid  98042  
G/AG/N/IND/18  Canada  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Domestic food aid  98043  
G/AG/N/IND/18  Japan  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Domestic food aid  98044  
G/AG/N/IND/18  Paraguay  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Domestic food aid  98045  
G/AG/N/IND/18  Russian Federation  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Domestic food aid  98046   
  G/AG/R/99  
 
- 13 - Document Symbol  Question by  Answer by  Notification Format  Keywords  ID Number  
G/AG/N/IND/18  United States of America  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Domestic food aid  98047  
G/AG/N/IND/18  Australi a India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Input subsidies available 
to low -income or 
resource -poor producers  98048  
G/AG/N/IND/18  Australia  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Input subsidies available 
to low -income or 
resource -poor producers  98051  
G/AG/N/IND/18  Canada  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Input subsidies available 
to low -income or 
resource -poor producers  98052  
G/AG/N/IND/18  European Union  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Input subsidies available 
to low -income or 
resource -poor producers  98049  
G/AG/N/IND/18  United States of America  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Input subsidies available 
to low -income or 
resource -poor producers  98050  
G/AG/N/IND/18  United States of America  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Input subsidies available 
to low -income or 
resource -poor producers  98053  
G/AG/N/IND/18  Australia  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Market price support  98036  
G/AG/N/IND/18  European Union  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Market price support  98037  
G/AG/N/IND/18  Japan  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Market price support  98038  
G/AG/N/IND/18  Paraguay  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Market price support  98039  
G/AG/N/IND/18  Russian Federation  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Market price support  98040  
G/AG/N/IND/18  United States of America  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Market price support  98041  
G/AG/N/IND/25  Australia  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transpar ency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98061  
G/AG/N/IND/25  Canada  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98068  
G/AG/N/IND/25  European Union  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98055  
G/AG/N/IND/25  European Union  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98056  
G/AG/N/ IND/25  European Union  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98062   
  G/AG/R/99  
 
- 14 - Document Symbol  Question by  Answer by  Notification Format  Keywords  ID Number  
G/AG/N/IND/25  Japan  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98063  
G/AG/N/IND/25  Paraguay  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98064  
G/AG/N/IND/25  Russian Federation  India DS:1 - Exempt and non-exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98066  
G/AG/N/IND/25  United States of America  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98065  
G/AG/N/IND/25  Australia  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Direct payments: 
decoupled income support  98067  
G/AG/N/IND/25  Canada  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Direct payments: 
decoupled income support  98069  
G/AG/N/IND/25  European Union  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Direct pay ments: 
decoupled income support  98070  
G/AG/N/IND/25  Japan  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Direct payments: 
decoupled income support  98071  
G/AG/N/IND/25  Paraguay  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Direct payments: 
decoupled income support  98072  
G/AG/N/IND/25  United States of America  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Direct payments: 
decoupled income support  98073  
G/AG/N/IND/25  Australia  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Market price support  98054  
G/AG/N/IND/25  European Union  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Market price support  98057  
G/AG/N/IND/25  Japan  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Market price support  98058  
G/AG/N/IND/25  Paraguay  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Market price support  98059  
G/AG/N/IND/25  United States of America  India DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Market price support  98060  
G/AG/N/JPN/259  Brazil  Japan  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98156  
G/AG/N/JPN/259  Canada  Japan  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98157  
G/AG/N/JPN/259  Paraguay  Japan  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98158  
G/AG/N/JPN/259  United States of America  Japan  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98159  
G/AG/N/JPN/259  United States of America  Japan  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Non-product -specific AMS  98160  
G/AG/N/KOR/80  Australia  Korea, Republic of  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98163   
  G/AG/R/99  
 
- 15 - Document Symbol  Question by  Answer by  Notification Format  Keywords  ID Number  
G/AG/N/KOR/80  Brazil  Korea, Republic of  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98168  
G/AG/N/KOR/80  Australia  Korea, Republic of  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Public stockholding for 
food security purposes  98164  
G/AG/N/KOR/80  Canada  Korea, Republic of  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Public stockholding for 
food security purposes  98161  
G/AG/N/KOR/80  Australia  Korea, Republic of  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Direct payments: 
decoupled income support  98165  
G/AG/N/KOR/80  Australia  Korea, Republic of  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Market price support  98162  
G/AG/N/KOR/80  United States of America  Korea, Republic of  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Other product -specific 
AMS/EMS  98167  
G/AG/N/KOR/80  Australia  Korea, Republic of  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Non-product -specific AMS  98166  
G/AG/N/KOR/81  Canada  Korea, Republic of  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Other product -specific 
AMS/EMS  98169  
G/AG/N/KGZ/33  Canada  Kyrgyz Republic  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Non-product -specific AMS  98170 * 
G/AG/N/KGZ/34  Canada  Kyrgyz Republic  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98171 * 
G/AG/N/NGA/19  Canada  Nigeria  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98172 * 
G/AG/N/NGA/19  United States of America  Nigeria  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98173 * 
G/AG/N/NGA/19  Australia  Nigeria  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Input subsidies available 
to low -income or 
resource -poor producers  98175 * 
G/AG/N/NGA/19  United States of America  Nigeria  DS:1 - Exempt and non-exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Input subsidies available 
to low -income or 
resource -poor producers  98174 * 
G/AG/N/NGA/20  Canada  Nigeria  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Domestic food aid  98176 * 
G/AG/N/PAK/17  Canada  Pakistan  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Public stockholding for 
food security purposes  98177 * 
G/AG/N/PRY/33  India Paraguay  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98018  
G/AG/N/RUS/29  India Russian Federation  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Non-product -specific AMS  98022 * 
G/AG/N/CHE/109  Paraguay  Switzerland  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98196  
G/AG /N/CHE/109  Australia  Switzerland  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Non-product -specific AMS  98180   
  G/AG/R/99  
 
- 16 - Document Symbol  Question by  Answer by  Notification Format  Keywords  ID Number  
G/AG/N/TUN/60  United States of America  Tunisia  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Excessive rates of 
inflation  98181 * 
G/AG/N/USA/135  Canada  United States of America  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98188  
G/AG/N/USA/135/REV.1  Brazil  United States of America  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98182  
G/AG/N/USA/135/REV.1  China  United States of America  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98178  
G/AG/N/USA/135/REV.1  China  United States of America  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98179  
G/AG/N/USA/135/REV.1  China  United States of America  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98186  
G/AG/N/USA/135/REV.1  China  United States of America  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Market price support  98187  
G/AG/N/USA/135/REV.1  China  United States of America  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Classification of measures  98183  
G/AG/N/USA/135/REV.1  China  United States of America  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Classification of measures  98184  
G/AG/N/USA/135/REV.1  China  United States of America  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Classification of measures  98185  
G/AG/N/USA/150  Australia  United States of America  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98189  
G/AG/N/USA/150  Canada  United States of America  DS:1 - Exempt and non-exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98191  
G/AG/N/USA/150  India United States of America  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98019  
G/AG/N/USA/150  Paraguay  United States of America  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98197  
G/AG/N/USA/150  Australia  United States of America  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Other product -specific 
AMS/EMS  98190  
G/AG/N/VNM/14  Canada  Viet Nam  DS:1 - Exempt and non -exempt 
support - Current total AMS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98192  
G/AG/N/GBR/4  Brazil  United Kingdom  DS:2 - New or modified DS  Transparency issues 
(including Table DS:2)  98193  
G/AG/N/CAN/135  India Canada  ES:1 - Export subsidies  Transparency issues  98029  
G/AG/N/IND/24  European Union  India ES:1 - Export subsidies    98194  
G/AG/N/KOR/79  Australia  Korea, Republic of  ES:1 - Export subsidies  Special and differential 
treatment (Article 9.4)  98195  G/AG/R/98  
 
- 17 - 
 
  Table 3 - Questions raised under agenda item "Overdue notifications"  
Question by  Answer by  ID Number  
India Canada  98020  
India European Union  98021  
India United States of America  98023  
 
  G/AG/R/9 9 
- 18 - 
 
  ANNEX 2  
CHAIR REPORT ON THE INFORMAL MEETING OF 17 JUNE  ON  
THE BALI DECISION ON TRQ ADMINISTRATION  
(AGENDA ITEM – 3.C (i)) 
The Committee considered the issue of the follow -up to the Bali TRQ Decision at its informal meeting 
on 17 June 2021. The discussion focused on the future operation of paragraph 4 of the underfill 
mechanism and on the remaining recommendations contained in  Annex 2 to G/AG/29.  
 
On paragraph 4, Members principally reflected on possible elements to achieve a 'resolution' or 
'closure' of an underfill matter for an importing developing Member who, in the final stage of the 
Underfill Mechanism, does not achieve the required increase in the fill rate while either retaining the 
current TRQ administration method or using an alternative administration method.   
 
There appeared to be wide support for a textual suggestion made informally by a Member during 
the 30 April informal consultations according to which an importing developing Member not meeting 
the required fill rate standard after two years in the final stage of the Underfill Mechanism would be 
subject to the standard requirement in the first sentence of p aragraph 4 if so requested by interested 
exporting Member(s). In the absence of such request, the concern shall be marked as 'closed'.   
 
One Member preferred the fill rate increase in the last sentence of paragraph 4 to be identical to 
that in paragraph 3 (b) and expressed openness to consider a four -year timeframe, instead of the 
current two -year, for importing developing Members to achieve that increase.   
 
Two Members raised the issue of the relationship between the Bali TRQ Decision underfill obligations  
and specific commitments on TRQ administration specified in relevant Member 's schedule. The issue 
of balance between importing and exporting Members ' interests under the Bali Decision was also 
raised by one delegation.  
 
I also noted a broader understandi ng among Members that Annex B and other relevant 
paragraphs  (13-15) of the Bali TRQ Decision related to the review of its operation would be 
non-operational once an agreement is reached on the future operation of paragraph 4 of the underfill 
mechanism.  
  
Some Members considered an outcome on the future operation of paragraph 4 as a possible 
deliverable for MC -12.  
 
On other elements of the agreed recommendations in paragraphs 2 and 3 of Annex 2 to G/AG/29, I 
heard suggestions to enhance the scope of Table MA:2 notifications by requiring information on 
bound and applied out -of-quota and in -quota tariffs, total imports, and whether TRQ tariff lines were 
subject to FTA treatment by the concerned importing Member.  
 
One Member preferred to reach agreement on pa ragraph 4 of the Underfill Mechanism and on the 
Secretariat tracking register prior to the launch of the first triennial review in 2022.  
 
I invited Members to continue focusing on the outstanding issue of paragraph 4 of the Underfill 
Mechanism considering the timeline of end -2021 to reach an agreement.  
  G/AG/R/98  
 
- 19 - 
 
  ANNEX 3  
CHAIR REPORT ON THE INFORMAL  MEETING ON  
THE NAIROBI DECISION ON EXPORT COMPETITION -TRIENNIAL REVIEW  OF 17 JUNE   
(AGENDA ITEM – 3.C (II)) 
During its informal meeting on 17 June, the Committee discussed the second Triennial Review of the 
Nairobi Decision on Export Competition being conducted pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Nairobi 
Decision.  
 
I invited Members to make progress towards the identification of issues:  
• on which concrete deliv erables can be envisaged in the context of this Second Review;  
• on which Members could envisage the adoption of a specific post -Review work programme; 
and 
• that are not mature enough to require any action as a result of this Review, or that would be 
better a ddressed under the negotiations track.  
 
I also recalled Members ' preference  to focus on the existing monitoring practices and obligations, 
and in particular on ways to increase the rate of replies to the existing Export Competition 
Questionnaire (ECQ) duri ng the Triennial Review rather than on exploring possible new 
requirements, especially in light of the fact that for the first time, all Members were expected to 
answer the ECQ in 2021. This point was emphasized by many delegations during the informal 
meeting as well.  
 
In my preliminary assessment, I enumerated take -aways around the following nine main items that 
were identified by Members in the discussions thus far:  
 
1. Comprehensive review to update and streamline the ES notification requirements and format s 
read in conjunction with the Export Competition Questionnaire;  
 
2. Update of the content of the ECQ;  
 
3. Clarification of the scope of some of the questions contained in the ECQ;  
 
4. Integration of the ECQ into G/AG/2;  
 
5. Provision  of additional trade -related data by Secretariat to complement Members' replies to 
the ECQ; 
 
6. Modification  of export subsidy schedules pursuant to the Nairobi Decision;  
 
7. Improving  the Export Competition Questionnaire reply rate;  
 
8. Enhancing transparency of article 9.4 export subsidies; and  
 
9. Relationship  between the replies to the questionnaire of the Working Party on State Trading 
Enterprises and the replies to the ECQ related to exporting agricultural State Trading Enterprises.  
 
My introductory statement t o this informal CoA meeting will be attached to the summary report of 
this meeting for the sake of transparency.  
 
Members' interventions during the informal meeting generally echoed my preliminary assessment, 
including the fact that several of these issues  were also discussed under the negotiations track, 
either based on suggestions already tabled by proponents or on new proposals expected soon.  
 
It was noted that some issues could be addressed in the broader agricultural context rather than 
under the Expor t Competition pillar only. Some Members also considered that some issues could be 
part of a post -2021 work programme.  
 G/AG/R/9 9 
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  Several Members stressed the need for a proper assessment of challenges faced by Members in 
replying to the ECQ, especially those without  prior experience, in order to find appropriate responses 
to those challenges and contribute to a better response rate to the ECQ.  
 
In this regard, technical assistance and the development of new IT tools by the Secretariat were 
mentioned by several Members who took the floor.  
 
The compilation of issues raised by Members under the monitoring of the December 2015 Ministerial 
Decision on Export Competition, circulated by the Secretariat on 11 May 2021 in document 
G/AG/W/211 and its Addendum 1, was also welcomed during the discussion. One Member suggested 
the preparation by the Secretariat of an analytical study of the questions and replies compiled in this 
document as a possible next step.  
 
To conclude, I would like to invite Members, who have expressed interest to do so, to circulate 
written contributions, including concrete inputs, on possible elements to improve the current 
monitoring practices.  
 
This ends my report.  G/AG/R/98  
 
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  ANNEX 4  
CHAIR'S INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT AT THE INFORMAL MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE 
ON AGRICULTURE  OF 17 JUNE 2021  ON THE SECOND TRIENNIAL REVIEW OF THE 
NAIROBI MINISTERIAL DECISION ON EXPORT COMPETITION  
1. Since our last meeting on 29 March, I have held two rounds of informal consultations on 30  April 
and earlier this week on 14 J une as part of the second Triennial Review of the Nairobi Ministerial 
Decision on Export Competition being held this year in accordance with Paragraph  5 of the 
Decision . 
2. As you are well aware, Export Competition issues are considered this year under the fo llowing 
three parallel tracks:  
a. First, the annual dedicated discussion  process at the CoA to monitor the implementation 
of the disciplines contained in the Nairobi Decision on Export Competition. This year is 
significant since for the first time all Members  are expected to reply to the questionnaire, 
following the expiry of the grace period foreseen in footnote  17 of the Decision.  
b. Second, the Triennial Review, which will also be carried out by the CoA  and is the subject 
of our meeting today.  
c. Finally, the thi rd track is the agricultural negotiations undertaken in the framework of the 
CoA Special Session  with a view to reaching an outcome on agriculture at the 12th Ministerial 
Conference. One important development in this regard was the circulation on Thursday 10 
June of the Facilitators' final written report in document  JOB/AG/201 that includes a section 
on Export Competition.  
3. In this context, Members have expressed the view that the Triennial Review and the 
negotiation process on Export Competition should be complementary . For one Member, 
the Review could help highlight unfinished business on Export Competition while another Member 
noted that both the Review and the negotiations could contribute to an outcome on transparency 
at MC12.  
4. Most Members  also considered that the Triennial Review should look at ways to  improve the 
existing monitoring practices and obligations,  including the rate of replies to the existing 
Export Competition Questionnaire (ECQ), rather than exploring possible new requirements, 
especially in light of the fact that for the first time, all Members were expected to answer the  ECQ 
in 2021.  
5. My purpose has been to pursue and deepen exchanges on the transparency -related issues of 
potential interest identified by Members, to make progres s towards the identification of issues:  
i. on which concrete deliverables that can be envisaged in the context of this Review;  
ii. on which Members could envisage the adoption of a specific post -Review work 
programme; and  
iii. that are not mature enough to require any  action as a result of this Review, or that would 
be better addressed under the negotiations track.  
 
6. My main take -aways in this regard from my consultations thus far are as follows:  
 
7. First several Members consider that, in light of the new Export Competiti on landscape resulting 
from the adoption of the Nairobi Ministerial Decision,  Members should consider a 
comprehensive review to update and streamline the notification requirements and 
formats  in relation to Export Subsidies and total exports in tables ES:1  and ES:2, as well as 
international Food Aid in tables ES:1, ES:3 and NF:1, read in conjunction with the transparency 
requirements under the Export Competition Questionnaire.  
 
8. One Member notably suggested updating the list of Members required to submit export data in 
Table ES:2 as well as the current list of products and groups of products and the related tariff 
lines.  G/AG/R/9 9 
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  9. Several Members noted that such an exercise could enhance the effectiveness of the 
transparency requirements, by reducing unnecess ary, burdensome or redundant requirements 
while preserving the accuracy and completeness  of data provided by Members.  
 
10. I note that this issue has also been discussed in the context of the agriculture negotiations, 
potentially as part of a broader proposal on transparency that may be circulated in a near future.  
 
11. My assessment at this juncture is that the tabling of concrete proposals would be required to 
make more progress on this topic. Members will have to decide which track they consider the 
most appropr iate to address  this question.  
 
12. Second , while several Members consider that it would be useful to update the content of the 
ECQ to improve  the accuracy and relevance of data provided by Members, other Members 
consider that this would be premature and that priority should be given, as already mentioned, 
to efforts aimed at improving the monitoring process on the basis of the existing requirem ents. 
 
13. Third , several Members consider that there is a need to clarify or explain the scope of some 
of the questions contained in the ECQ , based on the experience acquired so far. It was noted 
that an "illustrative list" approach could be useful in this re gard. However, no concrete proposal 
has been made so far in this respect.  
 
14.  In relation to such possible update and clarification of the ECQ, I note that the submission 
contained in document JOB/AG/184 circulated on 30 March 2020 in the context of the agri culture 
negotiations suggests a " review of the questions and notification requirements in the ECQ within 
the dedicated session on Export Competition and provide recommendations to the regular 
Committee on Agriculture ". 
 
15. Fourth , while some Members support t he integration of the ECQ information requirements 
into the document  G/AG/2 , other Members do not consider this to be a priority. Some Members 
stressed the need to assess the consequences of such a change on the existing monitoring 
process, and the need fo r a comprehensive approach. As previously, I note that this issue is also 
being discussed in the context of the agriculture negotiations and that no concrete proposal has 
been made in this regard so far in the context of this Review.  
 
16. Fifth, some Members c onsider that the Secretariat could usefully provide additional trade data 
to complement Members' replies to the ECQ. Reference was made in the discussions to the 
submission JOB/AG/184 circulated in the context of the agriculture negotiations. Some other 
Members expressed reservations about the Secretariat providing data that would not be 
submitted or validated by Members.  
 
17. Thus, here again, this issue is also being discussed in the context of the agriculture negotiations 
but in this case with a concrete pro posal on the table.  
 
18. Sixth , several Members have welcomed in the course of the discussions the efforts made by 
Members with export subsidy reductions commitments at the time of the Nairobi Decision to 
modify their schedules pursuant  to the Decision, and en couraged the remaining Members to do 
so as quickly as possible. This point is also addressed as a potential deliverable in 
document  JOB/AG/184.  
 
19. Seventh , Members support concrete initiatives aimed at enhancing the existing monitoring 
process including the rate of replies to the Export Competition Questionnaire, including by 
assisting Members that are not yet accustomed to replying to the ECQ.  
 
20. This includes  initiatives such as inf ormation sessions, mentoring by more experienced Members, 
or technical assistance by the Secretariat.  
 
21. The on -going  development by the Secretariat of a new IT tool for online submission of replies to 
the ECQ and online reporting has also been welcomed.  
 
22. Several Members  insisted in this regard on the importance of a proper assessment and feedback 
of the actual difficulties encountered by Members in replying to the ECQ, as a prerequisite for G/AG/R/98  
 
- 23 - 
 
  being in a position to address them effectively . I woul d welcome Members ' views on how this 
could be done in practice.  
 
23. Eighth , some Members expressed concern about the lack of notifications on the use of export 
subsidies under article 9.4 of the Agreement on Agriculture, that benefitted from longer phasing 
out period pursuant  to the Nairobi Decision, and highlighted in the course of the discussions the 
importance of enhanced transparency in that regard.  
 
24. Several Members considered that it would be useful in this context for the Secretariat  
to compile data on t he use of such subsidies, as contained in Members' ES:1 notifications 
(Supporting Table ES:2) in the annual background document on Export Competition.  
 
25. This could be done following the same practice as used so far for notified scheduled export 
subsidies, n amely tables in Addendum 1 reflecting the annual use in quantity and budgetary 
outlays, and summary charts by Member in the main document.  
 
26. One Member suggested the possibility for the Secretariat to also include in the background 
document the average leve ls of export subsidies under article 9.4 for the past five years on a 
product basis, keeping in view paragraph 10 of the Nairobi Decision.  
 
27. Another Member considered that the appreciation on this issue and more broadly the role of the 
Secretariat's backgro und document on Export Competition would also depend on the outcome 
of the suggested holistic review of all relevant Export Competition related notification 
requirements.  
 
28. Ninth and last, several Members noted in the course of the discussions that the ECQ information 
requirements for agricultural exporting State Trading Enterprises are by design almost identical 
to those contained in the questionnaire of the Working Party on State Trading Enterprises.  
 
29. Many Members considered in this context that it would b e useful to confirm, in order to avoid 
redundant requirements, that Members can use the reply to the questionnaire of the Working 
Party on State Trading Enterprises to reply to the ECQ questionnaire  in relation to their exporting 
agricultural State Trading  Enterprises.  
30. It was stressed however that the notification frequency was different under the two exercises, 
annual in the case of the ECQ and every two years in the case of  the Working Party on State 
Trading Enterprises questionnaire.  
31. Members  should there fore ensure  in that context that information contained in the reply to the 
ECQ in relation to their exporting agricultural State Trading Enterprises is fully up to date, for 
the years during which no notification is provided to the Working Party on STEs.  
32. Finally, let me conclude by recalling that the Secretariat circulated on 11  May 2021 a 
compilation of issues  raised by Members  under the monitoring of the December  2015 
Ministerial Decision on Export Competition in document G/AG/W/211 and its Addendum 1.  
  G/AG/R/9 9 
- 24 - 
 
  ANNEX 5 
CHAIR REPORT ON THE I NFORMAL MEETING ON 'ENHANCING TRANSPARENCY  
AND THE COA REVIEW PROCESS ' OF 17 JUNE  
(AGENDA ITEM 3.D) 
At yesterday's informal meeting, the Committee continued its deliberations on enhancing 
transparency and the review process, a topic that has been taken up in a number of informal 
meetings.  
 
During the meeting, I recalled the two main themes that have fre quently figured in our discussions 
under this agenda item, namely  the issue of timeliness and completeness of notifications, particularly 
keeping in view  the large number of overdue notifications in the areas of domestic support and 
export subsidies as ref lected in the Secretariat's document G/AG/GEN/86/Rev.42, and secondly, the 
importance of timely and complete responses to questions raised under the Committee 's review 
process. Both these themes are also routinely taken up in the formal meeting under the a genda 
items on 'overdue notifications ' and 'deferred replies ' respectively.  
  
I also recalled the Secretariat's effort towards enhanced transparency and an efficient COA review 
process, inter alia, through the launch of and continuous improvements in the Agriculture 
Information Management System (AG -IMS).   
 
During yesterday's informal meeting, one delegation referred to and expressed concerns on several 
export restriction measures introduced by governments in the wake of the COVID -19 pandemic in a 
non-transparent manner. It believed that some export restriction measures had been instituted by 
some major exporting Members that could not be explained by the pandemic and emphasized that 
export restrictions should only be applied when necessary and shou ld be temporary as per the 
WTO rules. Referring to the ongoing discussions in the Special Session of the Committee on 
Agriculture, the urgent need for clarification of the existing rules on export restrictions was also 
emphasized.  Another delegation second ed the suggestions for enhanced transparency of export 
restrictions.  
 
Regarding the review process, one Member expressed concerns on the high percentage of 
outstanding responses for questions raised in 2020 with a total of 53 questions that were still 
pending. This Member called on the Committee to reflect on the reasons behind this high pendency 
rate of responses and to look for possible ways to improve the situation.  
 
I concluded the meeting by noting that the Committee would continue its engagement on th ese 
matters.  
 
This concludes my report.  
 
 
__________