In Rio de Janeiro,, in June 1997, we agreed to work together for the early implementation of the WTO agreements relating to Agriculture. The group has been active in the Analysis and Information Exchange exercise in Geneva and in the Committees on Agriculture and Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures. The Group has also successfully coordinated on a wide range of other important agriculture trade issues. Through such activities the Cairns Group has consolidated its influence and maintained its profile in the agricultural policy debate. But while the Cairns Group has a credible record of achievement, much remains to be done.
Major distortions continue to exist in world markets for both bulk commodities and processed foods.
Certainly we are all aware from our experience in the Uruguay Round of how difficult, frustrating and time-consuming negotiations on agriculture can be. But this time we are better placed to succeed. In particular, we have a solid commitment, in Article 20 of the WTO Agriculture Agreement, that further multilateral agriculture negotiations will take place from 1999. We are also now working within a framework of rules, disciplines and commitments that apply to agriculture. International conditions are also more favourable than in the 1 980's.