Statement of Canada – Trade Negotiation Committee – December 12, 2024
On fisheries subsidies, Chair, thank you for your report today and your commitment to support this critical work to reach a comprehensive agreement that fully meets UN SDG 14.6 and advances global fisheries and ocean sustainability.
We fully agree with the sentiments expressed by the ACP as outlined by the Ambassador from Barbados.
The latest text you have produced is the result of many months of complex negotiations with significant concessions made by many Members in a real effort to conclude.
We welcome any actional suggestions that will bring us closer to conclusion.
On agriculture, Canada continues to stand ready to negotiate on all agriculture topics, either directly in the CoA SS or in other formats.
Unless Members have changed their positions on these issues, we do not believe it would not be a fruitful use of our time and resources to continue to seek consensus on a process document.
In our view the easiest way forward is for the CoA SS Chair to establish a process immediately, based on consultations that have taken place to date.
As we’ve said many times, it is well within the CoA SS Chair’s prerogative to set up the negotiations in any way he deems appropriate.
If this is not possible, proponents can take the lead in bringing forward proposals for discussion in the CoA SS and in other formats.
Canada has done this on the topic of domestic support as a part of the Cairns Group and African Group process, and you can count on us to do the same thing on other topics for which we are a proponent.
DS reform remains a priority for Canada.
Regret that DS reform discussions has not delivered the outcome of a fully and well functioning DS system by the end of this year.
However there has been significant progress in the DS reform discussions following an inclusive transparent and interest-based approach.
We remain committed to continuing the work next year.
