2 - Agriculture and the trade negotiations: a synopsis

Summary

Agricultural trade policy is notorious for its complexity – indeed, many would argue that complexity is a key tool in preserving it from prying eyes and peremptory reform. This book is similarly complex, so in the interests of transparency we offer in this chapter a synopsis of the arguments it covers. The remainder of the book comprises four parts. Part I contains three chapters (chapters 3–5) primarily concerned with the operation of the Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture (URAA), which sets the scene for the new round. This is followed by the two chapters in part II (chapters 6 and 7) which identify the commonalities and differences in interest both between developed and developing countries and, more importantly, between developing countries. Part III contains seven studies (chapters 8–14) aimed at quantifying the scope for, and benefits from, agricultural trade policy reform, and analyzing the relative benefits of different reform packages that might emerge from negotiation. The part deals, inter alia, with tariff rate quotas, specific commodity markets, broad reform packages and the economy-wide effects of reform. Part IV (chapters 15–21) of the book considers “new” issues: some chapters review the unfinished agenda of the URAA's “new” issues, such as sanitary and phytosanitary standards (SPS) and intellectual property (IP), while others deal with “new new” issues such as the environment and genetically modified foods.