RESTRICTED  
  
G/AG/R/78  
 
20 August 2015  
(15-4214)  Page: 1/7  
Committee on Agriculture   
 
SUMMARY REPORT OF THE MEETING HELD ON 4 JUNE 2015 
NOTE BY THE SECRETARIAT1 
The Committee on Agriculture held its seventy-seventh (77th) regular meeting on 4 June 2015 
under the Chairmanship of Mr Michael Wamai of Uganda. 
 The agenda of the meeting as set out in WTO/AIR/AG/4 was adopted with the following 
modifications: 
  Part 1 (Review Process): 
 Addition of questions from the United States of America with respect to India's cotton 
policies and its Domestic Support notifications G/AG/N/IND/10 and 
G/AG/N/IND/10/Corr.1. 
1  ELECTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON 
1.1.  On 26 March 2015, the Council for Trade in Goods had agreed on a slate of Chairpersons 
of its subsidiary bodies for the period 2015-2016. The Committee endorsed, by acclamation, the election of Mr Michael Wamai of Uganda as Chairperson. 
2  DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD OF EXPORT COMPETITION 
2.1.  The Committee held its second dedicated discussion on export competition. The Chairperson 
recalled that this agenda item related to the Ministerial Declaration on Export Competition of 7 December 2013
2 adopted at the 9th WTO Ministerial Conference in Bali. In this Declaration 
Ministers had agreed to hold dedicated discussions in the field of export competition on an annual 
basis in the Committee on Agriculture. The examination process was intended to enhance transparency and improve monitoring in relation to all forms of export subsidies and all export 
measures with equivalent effect. 
2.2.  The Chairperson noted that the dedicated di scussion provided an opportunity for Members to 
raise any matter relevant to the export competition pillar in order to achieve the final objective set 
out in the 2005 Hong Kong Ministerial declaration. It complemented, and was not a substitute for, 
the negotiations taking place in the Special Session of the Committee on Agriculture. It also provided an opportunity for Members to express views or draw conclusions in relation to the negotiation, based on their assessment of the information made available. 
2.3.  The Chairperson recalled that the first annual dedicated discussion took place at the 
5 June 2014 meeting of the Committee, based on the Secretariat's document G/AG/W/125 and its four addenda dated 21 May 2014.
3 To conclude the first annual examination process, 
the Secretariat had circulated an updated version of the background document4. 
                                               
1 This document has been prepared under the Secret ariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice 
to the positions of Members or to thei r rights and obligations under the WTO. 
2 WT/MIN(13)/40 and WT/L/915 dated 11 December 2013. 
3 G/AG/R/75, paragraphs 2.1-2.15. 
4 G/AG/W/125/Rev.1 dated 16 September 2014. G/AG/R/78 
 
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  2.4.  The process initiating the second annual dedicated discussion on export competition had been 
launched when his predecessor circulated on 26 November 2015 the questionnaire on export competition annexed to the Bali Ministerial declaration. This communication included a summary of suggestions from several Members on how to increase the number and improve the overall 
quality of replies to this questionnaire. 
2.5.  Based on Members' replies to this questionnaire and relevant notifications received by the 
Committee on Agriculture and the Working Party on State Trading Enterprises, as well as 
information already contained in document G/AG /W/125/Rev.1 and its addenda, the Secretariat 
circulated on 19 May 2015 a revised background document G/AG/W/125/Rev.2 with its four addenda on export subsidies, export finance, international food aid and agricultural exporting State Trading Enterprises. This document followed  the same structure as the previous one, with 
the addition of new summary tables which had been included following Members' suggestions 
during the first dedicated discussion. 
2.6.  The Secretariat had received 34 replies to the questionnaire (with the European Union 
counting as one). One additional reply and one updated reply had been submitted after the 
circulation of the background document. The Chairperson noted that the number of replies remained quite stable compared to last year
5, despite the call by his predecessor and by several 
Members to improve the response rate. The Chai rperson further noted, however, that some 
Members who had not replied last year had responded this time and in some cases the quality of replies had improved. 
2.7.  With a view to improving the response rate and the quality of replies, the Chairperson invited 
Members who had not yet replied, or wished to comp lement their replies, to do so before the end 
of June 2015. Members that did not apply measures covered by the questionnaire could respond with a "nil" reply. He indicated that this supplem entary information would be incorporated in an 
updated background document. 
2.8.  Members welcomed the Secretariat's updated background paper and supported the 
implementation of Bali Ministerial decision. New Zealand introduced the Cairns Group paper
6 which 
aimed at supplementing the Secretariat’s background document with some key conclusions drawn 
from the analysis, including considering the alignm ent of Members’ reported policies with the 2008 
revised draft modalities (TN/AG/W/4/Rev.4, more commonly called "Rev.4"). 
2.9.  Various Members noted positive trends in Members' policies in this pillar, particularly in the 
area of export subsidies. Based on these positi ve policy developments, many Members, supported 
New Zealand who concluded on behalf of the Cairns Group that the 2008 revised draft modalities on export competition appeared both doable and necessary. In the same vein, Egypt, on behalf of 
the African Group, underlined the urgency of the full elimination of all forms of export subsidies 
and disciplines on all export measures with equi valent effect, particularly on those measures 
having negative impact on low-income and resour ce poor farmers in the developing countries and 
NFIDCs. Several Members noted that the 10
th Ministerial Conference could be an opportunity to 
reach this objective.  
2.10.  Members welcomed the improvements included in the background paper which reflected 
improved quality and quantity of information in Members' responses. At the same time, some 
Members felt that there was still room for improvement in terms of the number of notifications and 
the level of detail in the responses provided. This was particularly true in the areas of export financing, STEs, and international food aid, where data was less comprehensive than that on 
export subsidies and where the quality of inform ation provided varied by Member. As a result, 
it was sometimes difficult to assess the alignment of these measures with the Rev.4 revised draft modalities. One Member noted that the data provided on these measures were insufficient to 
determine the magnitude of trade distortions. This Member considered that further work on the 
post-Bali export competition pillar required full transparency by all Members and on all types of export support. One Member stressed that any tr ansparency requirements should not increase the 
administrative burden for developing countries, in particular small economies and LDCs, and called 
for continued technical assistance to be provided to these countries. 
                                               
5 In 2014, 31 replies were received before the circulation of the first background document and 
36 overall. 
6 G/AG/W/144. G/AG/R/78 
 
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  2.11.  Various Members observed the consistent and significant decline in the use of 
export subsidies. The Cairns Group noted that, with the exception of a few Members, export 
subsidies use had fallen to zero and Members who continued to use export subsidies had 
expressed their intention to reduce their use. So me Members noted, on the other hand, that the 
use of export subsidies was concentrated on a small number of products, including products 
produced by subsistence farmers. Some Members also expressed their concerns with the fact that some new export subsidy programmes had been rein troduced or were under consideration despite 
the commitments made in the Bali Ministerial declaration. The Cairns Group drew attention in its 
submission to the fact that Members with export subsidy commitments often constrained their use of export subsidies below WTO commitments in th e regional trade agreements signed since 2008. 
This development was encouraging as it demonstrated the political acceptance of moving towards 
full elimination. A few Members pointed out that information on export subsidies granted by 
developing countries notified under Article 9.4 of the Agreement on Agriculture was still missing from the Secretariat document and underlined that this information was needed in order to 
achieve full transparency. Norway described its situation as regards the use of export subsidies 
and noted that a proposal had been sent to Parlia ment with a view to phasing out export subsidies 
by the end of 2019. 
2.12.  The Cairns Group noted that risk coverage, including export credit insurance or reinsurance 
and export credit guarantees, was the most common  form of export financing support provided to 
agricultural goods. The second most used kind of programme within the sample was direct 
financing support. Various Members regretted the lack of information in Members' replies to the 
questionnaire which limited the possibility to a ssess whether the programmes were self-financing 
as called for in the Rev.4 revised draft modalities. The Cairns Group noted however that the majority of the programmes reported had a repayment term that exceeded the 180 days 
maximum repayment term set in the Rev.4 revised draft modalities. The African Group noted 
an increasing trend in export financing support directed to developing countries. 
2.13.  The Cairns Group regretted the absence of improvement in the overall response rate on 
questions relating to State Trading Enterprises (STEs), but welcomed the additional transparency 
generated by the questionnaire compared to the notifications to the working party on 
State Trading Enterprises. Fruits and vegetables and tobacco were identified as the major product categories of reported agriculture exporting STEs, followed by wheat and wheat flour, coarse 
grains and rice. The Cairns Group also noted that the Secretariat's background document indicated 
how many STEs appeared to have monopoly powers, but regretted that data were insufficient to assess the alignment of these STEs with the Rev.4 revised draft modalities' general de minimis  and 
special and differential treatment criteria. One Me mber regretted the absence of data on some 
state controlled corporations operating public stocks. 
2.14.  Members' views differed regarding the conclusions that could be drawn from the current 
information on international food aid. The Cairns Group welcomed the fact that most of the 
food aid practices reported seemed to be already consistent with the proposed disciplines in Rev.4. 
They noted that most Members provided cash-bas ed food aid. Where Members had provided in-
kind food aid a majority had indicated that the aid was provided to the World Food Programme 
(WFP) or in response to emergency situations. Among the few Members who permitted 
monetization one Member had arrangements to  limit commercial displa cement. Other Members 
were not convinced that clear conclusions could be drawn at this stage due to some missing 
elements in Members' questionnaire replies. When in-kind food aid had not been provided in 
response to emergency situations or to the WFP, it was not clear from Members' responses whether they considered the extent to which this  in-kind aid would have adverse effects on local 
markets and local production. 
2.15.  The Chairperson recalled paragraph 13 of the Bali declaration which stated that Ministers 
"agree to review the situation regarding export competition at the 10
th Ministerial Conference". 
Therefore the future of these dedicated discussions in the field of export competition would depend 
on the outcome of the 10th Ministerial Conference and on the review of the situation regarding 
export competition to be undertaken by Ministers at that time. G/AG/R/78 
 
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  3  THE REVIEW PROCESS 
3.1  Matters relevant to the implementa tion of commitments under the reform 
programme under the Reform Programme: Article 18.6 
3.1.  The 17 implementation-related issues raised as well as the responses provided and follow-up 
exchanges are compiled in pages 5-19 of document G/AG/W/145. These relate to: 
a. Argentina's domestic support notifications (raised by the European Union); 
b. Brazil's domestic support programmes (raised by the United States of America); 
c. Canada's tariff-rate quota for cheese (raised by New Zealand and Switzerland); 
d. China's cotton policies (raised by the United States of America); 
e. China's TRQ underfill (raised by the United States of America); 
f. China's maize subsidies (raised by the European Union); 
g. Costa Rica's compliance with AMS commitments (raised by Canada and 
the United States of America); 
h. Egypt's domestic support notifications (raised by the European Union); 
i. India's sugar export subsidies (raised by Australia and the European Union); 
j. India's cotton policies (raised by the United States of America) 
k. Indonesia's regulation on importation of meat (raised by Australia); 
l. Pakistan's wheat export subsidies (raised by Australia); 
m. Switzerland's export subsidy budget (raised by Australia and New Zealand); 
n. Thailand's sugar policies (raised by Australia and the European Union); 
o. Turkey's domestic support and export su bsidies (raised by the European Union); 
p. Turkey's destination of wheat flour sale (r aised by the United States of America); 
q. Turkey's export subsidy programmes (raised by Australia). 
3.2  Review of Notifications 
3.2.  The Chairperson informed Members that since the March 2015 meeting the Committee had 
received 64 notifications which had been distributed electronically to all delegations. 
3.2.1  Notifications in respect of which ques tions have been raised in advance of the 
issuance of the convening airgram 
3.3.  Section 2 of document G/AG/W/145 reflects the questions raised, responses provided, and 
Members' follow-up comments in connection with the 30 notifications on which questions had been raised in advance of the issuance of the convening airgram.
7 
                                               
7 WTO/AIR/AG/4, Attachment Section B. G/AG/R/78 
 
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  3.2.2  Notifications subject to review in resp ect of which no questions have been raised 
in advance of the issuance of the convening airgram 
3.4.  The Committee took note of the 44 notifications circulated before 22 May 2015, including 
notifications carried over from the March 2015 meet ing but in respect of which no questions had 
been raised by that date under the Committee's working procedures.8 
3.2.3  Notifications circulated or made av ailable after the issuance of the convening 
airgram 
3.5.  Eight notifications had been circulated after the issuance of the convening airgram on 
22 May 2015: 
Imports under Tariff and other quota commitments (Table MA:2) 
 
 European Union (2012-2013): G/AG/N/EU/24 
 Russian Federation (2014): G/AG/N/RUS/8 
Domestic Support Commitments (Table DS:1): 
 
 Costa Rica (2014): G/AG/N/CRI/51 
 Guatemala (2014): G/AG/N/GTM/48 
 Russian Federation (2013): G/AG/N/RUS/9 
New or modified domestic support measures exempt from reduction (Table DS:2) 
 
 Guatemala : G/AG/N/GTM/49 
Export Subsidy Commitments (Table ES:1-ES:3): 
 
 Moldova (2002-2014): G/AG/N/MDA/4 
Notification under Article 16.2 of the Agreement: Monitoring of the follow-up to the Decision on 
Measures Concerning the Possible Negative Effects of the Reform Programme on Least-Developed and net Food-Importing Developing countries (Table NF:1): 
 
 Russian Federation (2014): G/AG/N/RUS/7 
3.6.  These notifications would be reverted to for substantive review during the next regular 
meeting, in accordance with paragraph 9 of the working procedures. 
3.2.4  Points concerning notifications rais ed at previous meetings which have been 
pursued bilaterally: information regarding outcome where the issue involved is one 
of general interest 
3.7.  There were no requests for the floor under this agenda item. 
3.2.5  Counter-notifications (Article 18.7 of the Agreement on Agriculture) 
3.8.  There were no requests for the floor under this agenda item. 
                                               
8 WTO/AIR/AG/2, Attachment Section C. G/AG/R/78 
 
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  3.2.6  Deferred replies to questions raised under the review process 
3.9.  The Chairperson noted that a total of 18 de legations had outstanding replies in the context 
of the review process. The Chairperson strongly  advised them to submit the replies to the 
Secretariat in order to enhance the efficiency of the review process. There were no requests for 
the floor. 
3.2.7  Overdue notifications 3.10.  The Committee took note of document G/AG/GEN/86/Rev.21 dated 22 May 2015 reflecting 
the current status of Members' compliance with notification obligations. 
3.11.  The Chairperson highlighted  a few numbers with respect to the outstanding notifications. 
For the period 1995 to 2013: 
 9% (55) of notifications in the MA:2 series; 
 11% (65) of notifications in the MA:5 series; 
 36% (700) of notifications in the DS:1 series; 
 35% (769) of notifications in the ES:1 series; and  
 11% (57) of notifications in the ES:2 series remain outstanding. 
3.12.  One question was raised under this agenda item by the United States of America to Turkey. 
The question, corresponding answer and Members' follow-up comments can be found in section 3 
of document G/AG/W/145. 
3.13.  The Chairperson stressed the importance of transparency given the important systemic 
benefits it provided and called on all Members to fulfil their notification obligations in a timely manner. 
4  OTHER MATTERS WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE COMMITTEE 
4.1  Implementation-related Issues (G/AG/16 and Add.1; G/AG/22) 4.1.  The Chairperson noted that the situation had not changed since the circulation of the 2003 
and 2006 reports to the General Council.
9 
4.2.  Argentina stated that without prejudice to the provisions of Article 10.1 of the Agreement on 
Agriculture, the establishment of additional and spec ific disciplines on export credits, export credit 
guarantees and insurance programmes remained an  outstanding implementation issue resulting 
from the Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture. Argentina requested that this item be retained 
on the agenda of the Committee on Agriculture. 
4.2  Implementation of Bali Outcomes 
4.3.  The Chairperson recalled the Bali Decision on TRQ administration which required Members to 
notify TRQ fill rates. He noted that, to date, six Members had submitted Table MA:2 notifications providing data on in-quota imports during 2014 and it was encouraging to see that five out of 
the six Members had used the format
10 discussed last year in the Committee. He further 
encouraged all Members submitting Table MA:2 noti fications to follow this suggested approach and 
use an additional column to report fill rate info rmation. No Member intervened under this agenda 
item. 
                                               
9 G/AG/16/Add.1 and G/AG/22. 
10 Contained in document G/AG/W/137. G/AG/R/78 
 
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  4.3  Other Business 
4.3.1  Briefing on July Notification Workshop 4.4.  The Secretariat informed the Committee that a notification workshop would be held on 
6-9 July 2015. The invitation fax was circulated by ITTC on 22 April. The deadline indicated in the 
invitation was 11 May 2015, which had been exte nded by 10 days to accommodate additional 
applications. The Secretariat stated that 62 applications were received including 9 from LDCs and observer governments. The selection process was currently on going and the decision would be 
made in the following one to two weeks. 
4.3.2  Date of next regular meeting 4.5.  The Chairperson proposed that the next (78
th) regular meeting of the Committee on 
Agriculture would be tentatively scheduled on 24 September 2015. The airgram convening this 
meeting would be issued on 9 September 2015. 
 
 
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