africa: African Ministers Plead With WTO On Subsidies

African countries are expected to call on developed countries to reduce export subsidies at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial summit in September. This proposal is unlikely to gain support from developed countries that offer billion dollar subsidies to their farmers to enable them to export competitively. "All forms of trade-distorting domestic support measures by developed countries should be substantially reduced, to enable the development of a vibrant and competitive African agricultural sector," said an African declaration that is expected to form the basis for a joint African position as countries head for the WTO ministerial summit in Cancun, Mexico.