2006-07-05
Author: GWR Ag Network
Ministers of Agriculture from Alberta , Saskatchewan and Manitoba and senior officials from BC were in Geneva, last week representing Western Canadian agricultural interests during an informal meeting of World Trade Organization (WTO) ministers. Western Canadian Ministers continued to advocate for an ambitious WTO outcome, as endorsed by Western Premiers at their meeting in Gimli, Manitoba on May 30th, 2006.  Ministers share the disappointment expressed by Federal Ministers Strahl and Emerson on the results of last week's meetings in Geneva . "A lack of political will among the major players appears to have prevented progress in the WTO Doha Development Agenda negotiations" said Ministers. They agreed, however, that the E.U. and the still have the opportunity over the next few weeks to bridge their differences over agricultural trade liberalization.