G/SCM/Q2/MEX/28  
4 April 2014  
(14-2116)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  Original: Spanish  
 
  SUBSIDIES 
REPLIES TO QUESTIONS POSED BY NEW ZEALAND1 CONCERNING 
THE NEW AND FULL NOTIFICATION OF MEXICO2 
The following communication, dated 31 March 2014, is being circulated at the request 
of the delegation of Mexico.  
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  Programmes: 
 
 Substitution of outboard motors for small vessels 
 Modernization of the fishing fleet and rationalization of the fishing effort 
 Marine diesel 
 "Coastal" gasoline 
 Coastal fisheries planning and Progra mme for strategic resource planning 
 
Question 1  Identify the fisheries affected by the programm e, by geographical area (e.g. territorial 
sea, EEZ, high seas), and the species affect ed by the programme (e.g. both target 
and by catch species).  
Reply 
 
The communication circulated at the request of the delegation of New Zealand raises several 
questions. According to the preambular paragrap h, New Zealand sees the reporting of Mexico's 
programmes relating to fisheries as "operati ng in the context of the 2012 Rio+20 commitment 
to further improve the transparency and reporting of existing fisheries subsidies programmes through the WTO". New Zealand's communication also indicates that the "Rio+20 Heads of State 
also encouraged States to eliminate subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, 
and to refrain from introducing new such subsidies or from extending or enhancing existing ones". The delegation of New Zealand also views su ch reporting "as an important contribution 
to the Doha mandate to "clarify and improve WTO disciplines on fisheries subsidies". 
 In this respect, the delegation of Mexico wi shes to clarify that its country's new and full 
notification, submitted in a communication dated 30 June 2013 and circulated by the Secretariat 
as document SCM/N/253/MEX of 6 July 2013, which encompasses Mexico's fisheries-related programmes, is based on Article 25.7 of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM Agreement). Pursuant to this Article, "Members recognize that notification of a measure does 
not prejudge its legal status under GATT 1994 or this Agreement, the effects under this 
Agreement, or the nature of the measure itself".  
For this reason, and after giving thorough consideration to the first question from New Zealand 
concerning the five Mexican programmes addressed in its communication, the delegation of Mexico considers this question to be outside of the scope of the SCM Agreement. 
 
                                               
1 G/SCM/Q2/MEX/26. 
2 G/SCM/N/253/MEX. G/SCM/Q2/MEX/28 
- 2 - 
  Nevertheless, and with a view to promoting Members' joint responsibility regarding transparency 
in the provision of support to this very important sector, Mexico reiterates its willingness to discuss these issues in the group or body that is most ap propriate for this purpose. In this case, the most 
suitable group is considered to be the Negoti ating Group on Rules, in particular as far 
as negotiations on fisheries subsidies are concerned. We believe that by proceeding in this way, 
with Members submitting their questions to the appropriate bodies, we can encourage them not only to act with greater transparency but to provide more comprehensive information on their 
subsidy programmes. 
 Having made this clarification, and without prejudice to Mexico's position in these negotiations, the delegation of Mexico expresses its concern ab out the status of fisheries on a global scale, 
as well as its interest in eliminating fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity 
and overfishing, whether general or specific, incl uding those providing concessions for the capture, 
processing and/or marketing of fisheries resources. Furthermore, it encourages monitoring 
and accountability in this sector, including through "shared governance" in which relevant 
organizations such as the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) would participate. 
 
Question 2  Clarify the current status of the programme, how long it is anticipated that 
the programme will be in place, and ho w the budget will change over the life 
of the programme.  
Reply 
 
As regards New Zealand's second question, an answer is provided below for each one 
of the programmes: 
 - Substitution of outboard motors for small vessels  
This programme is scheduled to operate until 2018 with an annual budget similar to that 
of previous years. 
 
- Modernization of the fishing fleet and rationalization of the fishing effort 
- Marine diesel - Coastal gasoline 
 
These programmes operated in 2013 and will continue to operate in 2014 with an annual 
budget similar to that of previous years. 
 
Any updates of notified programmes will be reported in the next new and full notification 
to be submitted by Mexico in due course, pursuant to its obligations under the SCM Agreement.  
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