G/AG/N/CRI/44  
28 May 2013  
(13-2788)  Page: 1/11  
Committee on Agriculture  Original: Spanish  
 
  NOTIFICATION 
 The following submission, dated 22 May 2013, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Costa Rica . The notification concerns domestic support commitments ( Table DS:1) 
for 2012 . 
 
_______________ 
 
 
Please note that not all figures for Supporting Table DS:1 for 2012 have been included. 
These figures will be circulated subsequent ly as a revision of this notification. 
 
No domestic support measures under Article 6.2 of the Agreement on Agriculture were 
in place in 2012. 
 
   
  G/AG/N/CRI/44  
- 2 - Table DS:1 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: COSTA RICA 
REPORTING PERIOD: 2012 
Current Total Aggregate Measurement of Support 
Total AMS commitment level for period in question Currency Current total AMS 
(from Section I of Part IV of the Schedu le) (from Section I of Part IV of the Sc hedule) (from attached  Supporting Tables) 
1 2 3 
15,945.00 US$ thousand1 81,850.47 
 
1 Average exchange rate for 2012: CRC 508.38 to US$1 ( Source : Central Bank of Costa Rica).    
  G/AG/N/CRI/44  
- 3 - Supporting Table DS:1 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: COSTA RICA 
REPORTING PERIOD: 2012 
Measures exempt from the reduction commitment - "Green Box"  
Measure type Name and description of measure with reference to criteria in  Annex 2 Monetary value of measure 
in year in question 
(US$ thousand1) Data Sources 
1 2 3 4 
(a) "General services"    
Research: Research by the Nati onal Institute for Agricultural Innovation and Technology 
Transfer (INTA): Contribution to the development of Costa Rica's agricultural sector 
through research, innovation and technology  transfer programmes aimed at creating 
competitive production systems and achiev ing food security while accommodating 
environmental concerns, by providing servic es and products that  meet technological 
needs and improve the quality of life of the Costa Rican population.  n/a National Institute for 
Agricultural Innovation 
and Technology 
Transfer (INTA) 
 Research, conservation and exploitation of water resources: Research, control and 
monitoring of water resources so as to prevent any deterioration and minimize the effects of exploitation by preserving these resources in quantitative and qualitative terms. Supply of basic information and data  collection for studies on water resources 
all over the country. n/a National Groundwater, 
Irrigation and Drainage 
Service (SENARA) 
 Technological research, development and dissemination services (National 
Production Council): Studies on the physical characterization and quality 
of horticultural products in the field; vali dation studies for technical regulations and 
procedures for the biophysical description  of certain fresh fruit and vegetables, 
transport simulations, useful life analyses, effect of post-harvest treatment, cold 
storage, product characterization, and clas sification and quantification of damage 
and defects. n/a National Production 
Council (CNP)   
  G/AG/N/CRI/44  
- 4 - Measure type Name and description of measure with reference to criteria in  Annex 2 Monetary value of measure 
in year in question 
(US$ thousand1) Data Sources 
1 2 3 4 
Pest and disease control: Pest and disease control programme: General programmes implemented by the 
State Phytosanitary Service to protect the country's agricultural heritage from 
economic and quarantine pests, to prot ect human health and biodiversity, and 
to comply with phytosanitary regulation s governing domestic and international 
marketing of plants. n/a Ministry of Agriculture 
and Livestock (MAG) 
 Pest control emergency fund: Funds for the control of quarantine and economic 
pests and diseases presenting a threat to the national economy. n/a Ministry of Agriculture 
and Livestock (MAG) 
 Animal health programme: General programmes to preserve, protect and enhance 
the health status of the country's livestock through improved domestic production, animal health, veterinary public health  and environmental protection, and the 
application of domestic and internat ional standards for that purpose. n/a Ministry of Agriculture 
and Livestock (MAG) 
Training services: Agricultural outreach programme:  By providing effective technical assistance and 
training, this programme contributes to maintaining food security and to the 
development of the agricultural se ctor and the rural environment. n/a Ministry of Agriculture 
and Livestock (MAG) 
 Agrifood quality and safety services (Standards and Certif ication Department, 
Agricultural Quality Director ate, National Production Council): Training in food 
quality and safety assurance, food qua lity and safety auditi ng and inspection, 
occupational hygiene and health, an d corporate social responsibility. n/a National Production 
Council (CNP) 
 Laboratory and technical regulation ad visory services (Laboratory Department, 
Agricultural Quality Directorate, Nation al Production Council): Training for 
agricultural producers and engineers concerning technical regulations governing the 
staple grain and horticultural product qu ality control system. Training in the 
monitoring of rice and bean processi ng plants in conjunction with rice 
growers (CONARROZ). n/a National Production 
Council (CNP)   
  G/AG/N/CRI/44  
- 5 - Measure type Name and description of measure with reference to criteria in  Annex 2 Monetary value of measure 
in year in question 
(US$ thousand1) Data Sources 
1 2 3 4 
 Post-harvest services (Post-Harvest De partment, National Production Council): 
Training for groups of producers and tec hnical personnel working for organizations 
or the State concerning post-harvest phys iology principles, activities, damage and 
defects in relation to fruit and vegetable production intend ed both for export and the 
local market. Training for agricultural fair officials. n/a National Production 
Council (CNP) 
 Training services provided by the National Training Institute: Training and advisory 
activities aimed at the agricultural se ctor and focusing on plant and animal 
husbandry, forestry, the environment, agri cultural mechanization, soil and water 
technology, and bu siness management. n/a National Training 
Institute (INA) 
Extension and advisory services: Programme for agro-industrial developmen t and modernization and greater value 
added: Advisory services, technical assistance and training for structured groups 
of small and medium-sized agricultural an d agro-industrial producers in areas such 
as food technology, hygienic handling of products and food management, good 
manufacturing practices, h azard analysis and critical control points (HACCP), 
agribusiness management, support for the design an d monitoring of civil 
engineering work for agribusi ness, evaluation of agro-industrial processes, plant and 
production line distribution, land valuatio n, and product analys is and development. n/a National Production 
Council (CNP) 
 Price and market information and extens ion services: Compilation, analysis and 
dissemination of market-related informatio n, such as data on staple grains and 
horticultural products, including guidance fo r organizations in anal ysing, interpreting 
and making proper use of the information. n/a National Production 
Council (CNP) 
 Costa Rican agricultural sector inform ation system (INFOAGRO): Information and 
communication system for the agricultural se ctor facilitating access to data and the 
generation of knowledge in order to improve agricultural competitiveness. n/a Executive Secretariat 
for Sectoral Planning in 
Agriculture (SEPSA) 
Inspection services: Inspection and analysis for food security purposes (Laboratory Department, 
Agricultural Quality Directorate, National Production Council): This service 
is provided mainly in natural disaster situations in which the country requires 
an analysis of products in processing pl ants, together with border inspections, 
following the adoption of food quality an d safety measures in order to safeguard 
food security. n/a National Production 
Council (CNP)   
  G/AG/N/CRI/44  
- 6 - Measure type Name and description of measure with reference to criteria in  Annex 2 Monetary value of measure 
in year in question 
(US$ thousand1) Data Sources 
1 2 3 4 
Marketing and promotion 
services: Marketing and market development progra mme (Marketing Department, Marketing 
and Agribusiness Directorate,  National Production Counc il): Support for small and 
medium-sized agricultural producers in the marketing of fresh produce and 
processed products. The service aims, inter alia , to facilitate contacts with potential 
buyers, the development of ma rketing plans, advisory serv ices on export procedures 
and logistics, and the search for and identi fication and adaptation of differentiated 
quality labels. n/a National Production 
Council (CNP) 
Infrastructural services: Hydr o-agricultural infrastructure programme at district level and in small irrigation 
and drainage areas: Preliminary feasib ility studies for and development of 
hydro-agricultural projects, such as the Arenal-Tempisque project and small 
irrigation and drainage areas throughout the country. n/a National Groundwater, 
Irrigation and Drainage 
Service (SENARA) 
 Programme for the development of agricult ural production, involving irrigation and 
drainage works: Support for the operatio n and maintenance of hydro-agricultural 
projects at national level, in districts under the responsibility of the National 
Groundwater, Irrigation and Drainage Service (SENARA) and in the framework of the national irrigation and drai nage programme for small areas. Technical assistance is 
provided for users of hydro-agricultural projects involving the transfer of water resource management tech nology at farm level. n/a National Groundwater, 
Irrigation and Drainage 
Service (SENARA) 
Other services: Watershed manageme nt programme: The measure aims  to develop field activities 
and projects in several of the country's watersheds in order to ensure sustainable 
use of natural, social and economic resources through an integrated and participatory approach. It consists of environmental education programmes and 
projects and training and advisory services  for producers and includes training and 
extension and advisory services. n/a Costa Rican Electricity 
Institute (ICE) 
(b)" Public stockholding for food security purposes"  n/a  
(c) "Domestic food aid"  n/a  
(d) "Decoupled income 
support"  n/a Ministry of Agriculture 
and Livestock (MAG)   
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- 7 - Measure type Name and description of measure with reference to criteria in  Annex 2 Monetary value of measure 
in year in question 
(US$ thousand1) Data Sources 
1 2 3 4 
(e) "Income insurance and 
income safety-net programmes"  n/a  
(f) "Payments for relief from 
natural disasters"  n/a  
(g) "Structural adjustment 
assistance provided through producer retirement programmes"  n/a  
(h) "Structural adjustment 
assistance provided through resource retirement programmes"  n/a  
(i) "Structural adjustment 
assistance provided through investment aids"  n/a Sustainable Agricultural 
Production Promotion 
Programme (PFPAS) 
(j) "Environmental programmes" Payment for environmental se rvices in agro-forestry systems: This programme 
provides economic compensation for la nd-owning farmers growing multi-purpose 
forest plantations in close combination with  annual or perennial crops and/or animal 
husbandry, as an effective means of main taining, rehabilitating and developing 
forest ecosystems. n/a National Forestry 
Financing Fund 
(FONAFIFO) 
 Recognition of the environmental benefits of Sustainable Agricultural Production 
Promotion Programme (PFPAS) projects: A financial incentive is granted to PFPAS 
projects for the environmen tal benefits generated. n/a Ministry of Agriculture 
and Livestock (MAG)   
  G/AG/N/CRI/44  
- 8 - Measure type Name and description of measure with reference to criteria in  Annex 2 Monetary value of measure 
in year in question 
(US$ thousand1) Data Sources 
1 2 3 4 
 Recognition of the environmental benefits  of organic farming by micro, small and 
medium-sized organic producers: A financial incentive is granted to micro, small and 
medium-sized organic producers for the environmental benefits resulting from 
their activities. n/a Ministry of Agriculture 
and Livestock (MAG) 
(k) "Regional assistance programmes" Establishment of settlements: This programme covers all the procedures necessary 
to set up rural settlements, in order to help  farming families esta blish themselves on 
the land they have bought and to provide them with legal evidence of ownership and hence right of occupancy. It also encompasses monitoring and follow-up 
of agricultural activities in  the settlements by the IDA. n/a Agrarian Development 
Institute (IDA) 
 Settlement development services: The programme covers the necessary processes 
to promote and strengthen the development of settlements and the families' integration in the rural environment. n/a Agrarian Development 
Institute (IDA) 
 Rural development programme: Advisory, tr aining and information services for local 
governments, rural or ganizations and the rural popula tion in general. These rural 
development measures aim to build up the rural population's organizational, management and negotiating capacity. n/a Ministry of Agriculture 
and Livestock (MAG) 
Total  n/a  
   
  G/AG/N/CRI/44  
- 9 - Supporting Table DS:4 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: COSTA RICA 
REPORTING PERIOD: 2012 
Calculation of the Current Total Aggregate Measurement of Support 
Description of basic 
products  
(including non-product 
specific AMS) Product-specific AMS (from Supporting 
Tables DS:5 to DS:7 below) 
 
(US$ thousand) Product-specific measurements of support (from 
Supporting Table DS:8 below) 
 
(US$ thousand) Current total AMS 
(aggregate) 
 
(US$ thousand) 
1 2 3 4 
Rice 81,850.47 0.00 81,850.47 
Non-product-specific AMS 0.00 - 0.00 
TOTAL AMS   81,850.47 
   
  G/AG/N/CRI/44  
- 10 - Supporting Table DS:5 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: COSTA RICA 
REPORTING PERIOD: 2012 
Product-Specific Aggregate Measurements of Support: Market Price Support 
Description of 
basic product Calendar/ 
marketing year 
beginning … Measure 
type(s) Applied 
administered 
price External reference 
price (generally 
from AGST/…) Eligible 
production Associated 
fees/levies Total market 
price support Data 
sources 
   (US$/tonne)1 (US$/tonne)  (tonnes)  (US$)  (US$)   
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 
((4-5)*6)-7 9 
Rice 2012 Price support 605.76 223.78 214,278.81 0.00 81,850,472 Ministry of 
Foreign Trade on the basis of data provided by CONARROZ 
 
1 Average annual price. This pr ice was established as a precautionary measure in the context of the judicial proceeding brought by producers against the State before the 
Administrative Court by means of Ruling No. 121-2011 of the said Court (Court File No. 10-4176-1027-CA).   
  G/AG/N/CRI/44  
- 11 - Supporting Table DS:7 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT: COSTA RICA 
REPORTING PERIOD: 2012 
Product-Specific Aggregate Measurements of Support: Other Product-Specific Support and Total Product-Specific AMS 
Description 
of basic product Calendar/ 
marketing 
year 
beginning … Measure 
type(s) Other product-
specific 
budgetary 
outlays Other product-
specific 
support 
(include 
calculation 
details) Associated 
fees/ 
levies Total 
other 
product-
specific 
support Market price 
support 
(Supporting 
Table DS:5) Non-exempt 
direct 
payments 
(Supporting 
Table DS.6) Total AMS Data 
sources 
   (US$)  (US$)  (US$)  (US$)  (US$)  (US$)  (US$)   
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 
(4+5-6) 8 9 10 
(7+8+9) 11 
Rice 2012 Price support 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 81,850,472 0.00 81,850,472 Ministry of 
Foreign Trade on the basis of data provided by CONARROZ 
 
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