Commerce Minister Bats Strongly for India
and the Developing World at the WTO on Fisheries Subsidy Negotiations
·
Emphasizes PM Modi’s Thrust to Promote the Fishing Sector
·
Seeks to Protect Poor and Artisanal Fishermen of India
·
Commerce Minister Speaks out for Preserving India’s Right to
High Seas and Domestic Fishing on Par with Developed Countries
·
“India can’t Sacrifice future Ambition”;
·
Asks not to Repeat Mistakes made 30 years ago in Agriculture
Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs
and Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Piyush
Goyal on 15 July, 2021 spoke
strongly for the rights of developing countries at the Ministerial meeting of the
WTO on the crucial fisheries subsidy negotiations. The meeting was attended by Ministers
and Ambassadors from other WTO members and the DG WTO Dr. Ngozi.
Delivering a strong statement on behalf of India,
Mr. Goyal stated that India is very keen to finalize the
agreement because irrational subsidies and overfishing by many countries is hurting
Indian fishermen and their livelihood. He expressed his disappointment that the
Membership is still short of finding the right balance and fairness in the agreement.
The minister also emphasized Prime Minister Modi’s thrust to promote fishing sector
and protect small fishermen.
Mr. Goyal cautioned that
we should not repeat the mistakes made during the Uruguay Round three decades ago
that allowed unequal and trade-distorting entitlements for select developed country
Members, particularly in agriculture. These unfairly constrained less developed
members who did not have the capacity and resources to support their industry or
farmers then. Mr. Goyal expressed concern that any unbalanced
or unequal agreement now would bind us into current fishing arrangements, which
may not meet future requirements. He pointed out that it is essential that big subsidizers
take greater responsibility to reduce their subsidies and fishing capacities, in
accordance with the principles of ‘Polluter Pays’ and ‘Common but Differentiated
Responsibilities’.
Mr. Goyal observed that
any agreement must recognize that different countries are at different stages of
development and that current fishing arrangements reflect their current economic
capacities. The agreement has to provide for current and future needs. While putting
forth India’s demands, he said that the per capita fisheries subsidy given by most
developing countries is minuscule compared to advanced fishing nations. Mr. Goyal clearly demanded that countries like India who are yet
to develop fishing capacities, cannot sacrifice their future ambitions. Allowing
advanced nations to continue grant of subsidies is unequal, unfair and unjust.
While responding to the specific question posed
by the DG to the ministers, he said that limiting Special & Differential Treatment
(S&DT) to poor and artisanal fishermen only is neither appropriate nor affordable,
and is not acceptable. S&DT is required to not only protect livelihoods of poor
fishermen but also to address food security concerns, have necessary policy space
for developing the fisheries sector and the need for larger time period for any
transition.
Highlighting that protection of environment is
ingrained in the Indian ethos for ages and has been repeatedly stated by our Prime
Minister, Mr. Goyal urged that India is committed to conclude
the negotiations, as long as it provides for balancing current and future fishing
needs, preserving space for equitable growth in fishing capacities in future, and
an effective S&DT without any imbalances.