Agri-Food Trade Policy

WTO Negotiations on Agriculture

The agriculture negotiations have been at the heart of the current round of multilateral trade negotiations, the Doha Development Agenda, since it was launched at the Fourth Ministerial Conference in November 2001, in Doha, Qatar. Given its role as a major agricultural exporter and importer, Canada has a fundamental interest in further strengthening the international rules governing agricultural trade. Throughout the negotiations, Canada has put forward constructive ideas that have helped to advance discussions in ways that meet our objectives, which are to achieve the elimination of all forms of export subsidies, the substantial reduction of trade-distorting domestic support, and real and significant improvements in market access. We have been working with other WTO member countries, both developed and developing, to seek the best possible outcome for Canadian agriculture.

Summary of key issues and events in the WTO agriculture negotiations.

• Canada's Negotiating Objectives
• The Doha Mandate for the Agriculture Negotiations
• Framework Agreement on Agriculture (July 2004)
• Towards an Agreement (2005-2008)
• Recent Developments

In the news

• December 2008 Statement Minister Ritz Takes Strong Stand On WTO Agriculture Negotiations
• July 29, 2008 - Canada Disappointed by WTO Impasse
• OTTAWA, Ontario, July 10, 2008 - Minister Ritz Standing Strong for Canadian Agriculture

Additional information

• World Trade Organization (WTO) - Current Negotiations Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
• December 2008 Revised Draft Agriculture Modalities
• Hong Kong Declaration
• July 2004 Framework
• Doha Ministerial Declaration
• WTO Agreement on Agriculture
• Cairns Group

World Trade Organization Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

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