Issue of MSP in Ninth WTO Ministerial Conference

The Ninth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) held in Bali, Indonesia from 3 to 7 December 2013 deliberated on a Bali package of issues that included a proposal from the G-33 coalition of developing countries relating to public stockholding for food security purposes.

The Conference agreed on a Ministerial Decision that provides for an interim period of protection to public stockholding programmes for food security purposes of developing country Members from being challenged in the WTO on allegations of exceeding the support which they are entitled to provide. WTO members agreed to an interim mechanism so that even if the limit available to developing countries is exceeded, this would not be challenged provided certain conditions are fulfilled. It further provides that this protection will be available till Members agree on a permanent solution on this issue for adoption by the Eleventh Ministerial Conference of the WTO.

The information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Dr. E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan in Rajya Sabha today.