India MSP on Wheat in WTO Scan

Responding to questions from Australia and the US, India provided the WTO Agri committee with more details about wheat procured as part of its public food stockholding programmes, specifically under a system of “minimum support prices.” The exchange built on questions and answers in the committee earlier this year regarding the disparity between Indian wheat prices and those seen on global markets.

The issue is of particular interest to trade negotiators because of an impending December target date for reaching a “permanent solution” to the problems some developing countries say they face in this area under WTO farm subsidy rules.

Many countries have argued that more transparency is needed so that WTO members can fully understand the problems that developing countries face and design a solution accordingly.