Agricultural Trade - A View from an African Farm

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Agricultural Trade -A View from an African Farm

• Hilton E. Zunckel
• Senior Researcher

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THE AFRICAN VIEW

• Critical is access of our products into the
  food markets of the developed countries, some of
  which continue to subsidise their own agriculture
  in a context that verges on intellectual,
  economic and social obscenity and brutal
  selfishness.
• President Thabo Mbeki - South Africa
• (on the launch of Doha)

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LOCAL FARM CONTEXT

• Jacinto grows maize cassavas on his farm in
  the south of Mozambique. However, he has been
  doing badly recently. Prices for farm produce
  are very low. Imported goods made in the big
  industrialised farms are much cheaper, which
  means we have to lower our prices. Globalisation
  has just brought poverty to the small farmer in
  Mozambique."
• www.cafod.org

Our desire is that trade rules will change, but
we know that those who own the money get what
they want. He who plays the drum makes the
rhythm.Jacinto Chambal
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The Nice 1st World Reply
Deep seated trade justice would require the EU
and the rest of the worlds richest to honestly
face the waste and scandal in agricultural
protectionism. Gordon Brown UK Counselor of
the Exchequer Commission for Africa Cape Town 18
January 2005
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The Real 1st World Reply
21 January 2005 Tender for the export of wheat
with refunds opened ! The cereals management
committee yesterday gave a positive opinion on
opening a tender for the granting of subsidy
refunds for the export of 2 million tons of wheat.
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The WTO Agreement on Agriculture
The text of all its provisions, legally binding
or otherwise, is exceedingly complex. Almost
every general rule is subject to a number of
refinements or exceptions, and most of these
cannot be translated without recourse to
additional information explaining their purpose
and the meaning of special terms. (the late
Prof. Robert Hudec, a leading WTO Academic)
Is this reasonable for Africa ?
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CANCÚN COMMENT
The Economist described the euphoria of African
countries in face of the collapse as
scandalous rubbish.
50/600 Dynamic
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An Unreasonable African Perception ?
1st World
Africa
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The Future ..

• We are, however, looking forward to the results
  of the Doha Round of the WTO negotiations.
• We hope to be allowed not only to level the
  proverbial playing field, but also to plough
  that field, in order to become a global player to
  a much larger extent than is currently possible.
• Statement by South Africa
• International Grains Council 2004

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Victory is Inherent !

Winston Churchills V for victory