Grain Farmers Pursue Doha Agreement

Traveling to Geneva to press their case this week, members of the U.S. Grains Council met with Agriculture Department Undersecretary Jim Miller to discuss goals and strategies for the Doha Round of World Trade Organization negotiations.

"The U.S. Grains Council supports the United States’ position consistently stating that we want the following: market access; more clarity on the modality texts; and to know what products will be designated as special or requiring special safeguards in the designated tariff lines," said USGC President and CEO Thomas C. Dorr.

Miller told the group that last week’s WTO Ministerial Conference was not a negotiating session, but that the Doha Round was in the end-game. He said his primary concern was still on whether the United States was getting adequate market access from the advanced developing nations for the price it is expected to pay.

Dorr said the U.S. Trade Representative and USDA see signs of a stronger commitment on the part of India, a necessary factor in bringing the Doha Round to a conclusion. India exhibits interest in obtaining service agreements, Dorr said.

Contact Thomas L. Gallagher at tgallagher@joc.com.