‘Coherent trade policy’ sought
Multi-sectoral groups are urging the government to come up with a more coherent trade policy in negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other trade agreements.
Rice Watch and Action Network (R1), fisheries group Tambuyog and the Alliance of Progressive Labor, said the breakdown of talks on the WTO’s Doha Round will have a negative effect on the local economy.
R1 said the Doha Round of negotiations in
Jessica Reyes-Cantos, R1 lead convenor, said the government’s chief negotiator did not assist Philippine agriculture negotiators in
Cantos said that was not proper especially since the safety nets in agriculture and industries were not discussed yet.
“How do you expect our counterparts in the WTO and other trade negotiations to seriously consider our bargaining positions when some of our officials are willing to take any deal for our supposed offensive interests, even at the expense of more sustainable local development?” she said.
The groups earlier urged the government to reject the WTO deal due to the disappointing offers on agriculture, fisheries and industry as well as the services sectors, as these were laid down during the week of negotiations on
“The fuel and food crises should serve as a wake-up call for the government. High prices of rice in the world market proved to be a bane for our country when we chose to open our economy to the world’s liberalized trade regime,” said Cantos.
R1 said the government must develop the agriculture, fisheries and industry sectors and provide the necessary production support to allow poor and marginalized people in these sectors, and stay afloat under a just and fair trade regime.
“Our government’s trade negotiations need coherence as the last WTO mini-ministerial meeting showed that each major sector was left to fend for each own while no one is really looking at the whole picture,” Cantos said.
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