'NON-G-6' MEETS IN NORWAY

Top trade officials from six WTO Member countries - Canada, Chile, Indonesia, Kenya, New Zealand and Norway - met in Norway from 18-20 October in order to discuss some of the issues holding up progress in the stalled Doha Round negotiations.

None of the six were part of the so-called 'G-6' group of key players - Australia, Brazil, the EU, India, Japan and the US - whose inability to agree on farm subsidy and tariff cuts led to the negotiations' suspension in July (see BRIDGES Weekly, 26 July 2006).

However, like the G-6, the countries present in Oslo did represent many of the major different negotiating groups at the WTO. Specifically, they represented a cross-section of interests on one of the most controversial issues under negotiation: the extent to which developed and developing countries will be able to shelter certain farm products from the full force of tariff cuts.

Canada, New Zealand, Chile and Indonesia are all members of the Cairns Group of farm exporters that have supported deep subsidy and tariff cuts and a relatively low number of 'sensitive' products for all Member countries. Norway is one of the G-10 countries, which want many more of their heavily-protected farm products to be eligible for 'sensitive' status. Indonesia, along with Kenya, belongs to the G-33, which has championed granting developing countries the right to shield 'special' products from liberalisation on livelihood and food security grounds. Chile and Indonesia are also part of the G-20, and Kenya is part of the African Group.

Delegates at the meeting are believed to have focused primarily on agricultural issues, such as tariff cuts, sensitive products, tariff caps and domestic support.

Officials from many of the countries present at the gathering were reluctant to comment on the substance of the discussions that took place.

ICTSD reporting; "Non-G6 Holds Talks on Outstanding Issues In Doha Round as Part of 'Quiet Diplomacy,'" WTO REPORTER, 23 October 2006.