Introduction

The WTO Doha Round negotiations on green box subsidies were widely seen as having ‘stabilised’ by mid-2008, meaning that, after a long period of fine-tuning, the compromise language proposed by the chair was being viewed by many as a realistic basis for agreement. While some countries may still have specific concerns with particular elements, a broad consensus on the modifications to be made had emerged.

For much of 2007 and 2008, negotiators had focused primarily on a limited number of issues, with particular attention being devoted to defining the exceptional circumstances under which governments might be allowed to update the ‘fixed and unchanging’ base periods they use to determine the amount of direct payments they provide to their producers. However, as recently as 2006, members were concerned about a far wider array of issues, many of which have not found reflection in the likely Doha outcome. The draft ‘modalities’ text circulated that year by the chair of the agriculture negotiations bears witness to the heterogeneity of demands for reform that were on the table. While many negotiators admit that their country has decided to drop some of these proposals in the interests of obtaining a Doha Round agreement, there is reason to believe that many of the underlying concerns remain.

Further back still, a wide range of ideas, concerns and proposals were discussed by members.