Press Release: International conference calls for inclusion of non-trade concerns in WTO farm talks

At an international conference on non-trade concerns in agriculture, held in Norway the week beginning 3.7.00, WTO member states agreed that every country should have a sovereign right to pursue non-trade objectives such as strengthening the socio-economic viability and development of rural areas, food security and environmental protection. The objective of the conference was to provide a forum for discussion among developing and developed countries on non-trade concerns (NTCs). Subjects treated covered the specific and multifunctional characteristics of agriculture, its contribution to rural development, food security, environment and cultural diversity, and the need for flexibility in national policy designed to address non-trade concerns, both from a developed and developing country perspective.