'Multifunctionality' and 'non-trade concerns' in the agriculture negotiations

In March 2000 talks recommenced on the renegotiation of the WTO Agreement o n Agriculture after the failure of the Seattle Ministerial Meeting in Decem ber 1999. International agricultural trade regulation has always been chall enging for both the GATT and the WTO and it is likely that it will remain d ifficult in the renegotiation discussions. The root of the problem this tim e is whether 'non-trade concerns' should be included into the amended agree ment. In essence, Members are being asked to consider if agricultural suppo rt measures can be retained where they also have positive effects in other sectors. This note highlights the problems of incorporating 'non-trade conc erns', whilst preventing it becoming yet another smokescreen for agricultur al protectionism. The note highlights three difficulties. Firstly, whether there is a difference between the terms 'multifunctionality' and 'non-trade concerns'. Secondly, which issues could be 'non-trade trade concerns' for the purposes of the amended agreement, and thirdly, the difficulties relati ng to the implementation method.