Govt rejects latest WTO agriculture proposal

Agriculture minister Gerry Ritz on Tuesday said he has "serious concerns" about new proposed trade rules released earlier by Crawford Falconer, the chair of the WTO agriculture talks.

"Canada has serious concerns with some elements of the chair's draft text," Ritz said in a statement, particularly because "there has been so little progress in the area of sensitive products."

"Canada firmly opposes proposals for any over quota tariff cuts or tariff quota expansion for sensitive products," he said.

As the WTO talks move forward, "Canada's position on sensitive products will remain firm," and Ottawa "will continue to strongly support supply management," Ritz added.

Agricultural subsidies and industrial tariffs have been major obstacles in reaching a consensus in the World Trade Organization's latest Doha round of talks to reduce trade barriers, launched in the Qatari capital in November 2001.

Developing countries have been pressing for greater access for their agricultural goods to markets in the developed world.