Towards a balanced outcome on fisheries subsidies

The World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Negotiations Committee on Fisheries Subsidies was held recently at Ministerial Level to explore options to reach an agreement on fisheries subsidies.

Mauritius Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Alan Ganoo, made a statement in his capacity as Coordinator of the African Group to the WTO and confirmed the “commitment of the African Group to remain constructively engaged in the process to find a balanced outcome on fisheries subsidies.”

He highlighted that significant gaps on core issues of interest to the African Group still remain.

“The African Group has always underscored the essential contribution of artisanal fishing to food security and livelihoods, especially in coastal communities. Hence, there was the need to exclude artisanal fishing from the scope of the agreement.”