Addressing the EU-Africa Cotton Forum earlier this week, he argued that this was a necessary step to increase confidence in export-dependent countries..
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His appeal came after a World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute panel backed Brazil in its battle against the €3 billion in annual subsidies received by US cotton farmers. .
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The Commissioner also suggested that an agreement on cotton might allow a broader accord on the WTO’s troubled Doha Round of trade talks. .
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The EU is the world biggest cotton importer, taking in between 20 per cent and 80 per cent of exports from Mali, Chad, Burkina Faso and Benin. .
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Lamy said: “We are very aware of the essential role played by cotton in the economic development of African countries…We are also conscious that the fall in cotton prices has directly and negatively affected millions of small producers.” .
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He argued that despite reform within the EU, other developed countries still needed to work at reforming agricultural policies. .
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“The appropriate framework in which to pursue this work is the WTO agricultural negotiation, and here we are working hard to reach a framework agreement by the end of July.” .
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He added: “It must be an enduring co-operation. A co-operation that is about internal policies as much as external trade, that involves national politics of developed and developing countries, and that ensures that trade opening works in favour of developing countries through parallel and equivalent efforts by all.” .
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Source: Just-style.com
Date:7/10/2004
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