WFC MINISTERS CALL FOR SPEEDY CONCLUSION OF ROUND.

Jun 17, 1991

WFC MINISTERS CALL FOR SPEEDY CONCLUSION OF ROUND.

GENEVA, JUNE 13 (TWN) – Ministers of the World Food Council have sent a message to negotiators in the Uruguay Round stressing the high priority they attached to early progress in achieving a satisfactory outcome to the Uruguay Round negotiations.

The message was adopted at the WFC's Ministerial Session at Helsingor, Denmark last week.

According to a WFC press release, the Ministers said that if hunger and malnutrition are to be addressed effectively, the international community and individual nations must create conditions that foster economic growth for rich and poor nations alike.

"To obtain this, an agreement to liberalise world agricultural trade within an overall GATT solution is crucial", they said.

"The lack of conclusion in the Uruguay Round after five years of negotiations has a severe impact on world trade, especially the trade situation of the developing countries. The most disturbing aspect is the effect this has on poverty and food security in those countries".

"The necessary agricultural reforms have been delayed too long- the 1980’s were a troubling and difficult decade for the poor nations of the world. At the outset of the 1990’s it is imperative that they be given a fair opportunity to realise their full economic potential".

"What is needed, therefore, is a comprehensive agreement which addresses the specific situation and needs of the developing world and which will ensure an international trade system which is open, just and equitable. We urge you to come to a speedy and successful conclusion of the Uruguay Round of negotiations in GATT".