WTO Agricultural Agreement (Reform Commitment) Motion

This House recognises that:

(1) Section 32 of the Agricultural Reform Act, withdrew the United Kingdom from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agricultural Agreement.

(2) The Section has nullified any and all commitments by the United Kingdom to the WTO Agricultural Agreement.

(3) The WTO Agricultural Agreement is aimed to provide a framework for long-term reform of agricultural trade and domestic policies, with the goals of —

(a) promoting free and fair trade practices,
(b) reducing unfair market distorting subsidies,
(c) improving market access for agricultural products, and
(d) fostering global food security.

(4) The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the WTO Agricultural Agreement embraces protectionist unfair measures, contradicting basic principles of free and fair trade.

(5) In spite of the criticisms of the WTO Agricultural Agreement used to justify withdrawal by the previous Government, continuous efforts are being made to see reform within the WTO, by member states on the agreement, with examples such as —

(a) the 2013 Bali, Indonesia WTO Ministerial Conference which saw Ministerial agreement to a package on global agricultural trade reform,
(b) the 2015 Nairobi, Kenya, WTO Ministerial Conference which saw reform decisions adopted including a commitment to abolish subsidies for farm exports as well as decisions on public stockholding for food security purposes, on a special safeguard mechanism for developing countries, and on trade rules for cotton,
(c) ongoing Trade dialogues regarding global food security.

(6) The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the WTO Agricultural Agreement damages the credibility and belief of liberal global systems, in which the United Kingdom is not acting in a constructive and cooperative capacity.

This House further acknowledges that:

(1) The previous Government and Parliament had affirmed its commitment and intentions to rejoin the World Trade Organisation proper and its Agricultural Agreement with the passage of the WTO Agricultural Agreement (Rejoin) Motion last term.

(2) The Secretary of State for Growth, Business and Trade affirmed the following to Parliament:

“…we withdrew from the WTO’s Agricultural Agreement and seek to start a new round of negotiations on the topic…”

(3) The Government failed to answer to the House in updating its progress on its promise to seek reform of the WTO Agricultural Agreement, when asked.

Therefore this House urges that:

(1) The Government to uphold its commitment to achieving reform of the WTO Agricultural Agreement and starting a new round of negotiationsz

(2) Pursuant to paragraph 1, the Government ensures the United Kingdom explores rejoin the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agricultural Agreement upon achieving its intended reforms.

(3) Pursuant to paragraph 1, the Government should also work to ensure the necessary changes and reforms are made to the Agricultural Reform Act in order to ensure national compliance with the reformed WTO Agricultural Agreement.

(4) The Government shall, when negotiating future trade agreements, seek to protect and promote the interests of British farmers, ensuring a level playing field in trade, taking into account domestic production capabilities, environmental standards and welfare considerations in accordance with the WTO Agricultural Agreement.

(5) The Government should work constructively and cooperatively within international organisations, not limited to but including the WTO, upholding core values necessary to pursue global reforms and enable agenda-setting influence to champion equality and justice.

Referenced Legislation and Documents

9th WTO Ministerial Conference Bali, 2013

10th WTO Ministerial Conference Nairobi, 2015

Trade Dialogue on Global Food Security

Agricultural Reform Act 2022

This Motion was submitted by The Honourable u/Waffel-lol LT CMG, Spokesperson for Business, Innovation and Trade, and Energy and Net-Zero, on behalf of the Liberal Democrats

Opening Speech:

Deputy Speaker,

Now we understand that the Government have issues with the WTO Agricultural Agreement, as so do we. We recognise it is not perfect and that reform is absolutely needed. That is not where we disagree. Where there is disagreement is the Government’s position that it should, would and could achieve reform from outside the WTO Agricultural Agreement. Time and time, members of Government claim they do not oppose the WTO and its Agricultural Agreement on protectionist grounds, and if that is true then we ought to see effort to bring about the necessary reforms to make it truly just and fair as they claim to strive for.

If one reads this Motion carefully, it does not compel the Government to rejoin the WTO Agricultural Agreement in its current state. As frankly we recognise this Government truly has no intentions on doing so. However, what it does state is, should the Government achieve their promise to reform the WTO Agricultural Agreement and subsequently have no issues with said reforms, they ought to see the United Kingdom rejoin. Crucially however, this Motion still calls on the Government to uphold their commitment to initiating rounds of reform negotiations. Something we express concern over the Government’s radio silence and active avoidance of answering on their progress and providing any details on said efforts. So this Motion simply is affirming what the Government had promised and keeping them to their word.

Throughout this term, and the last, the Liberal Democrats have been constant voices in support of seeing the United Kingdom rejoin the WTO Agricultural Agreement embracing our own values which are fully in support. The withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Agricultural Agreement, marks a concerning protectionist agenda that actively harms the place of the UK and the role it can play in guiding ongoing reforms and dialogue to the criticisms raised by developing nations. The values we hold, and ones we believe the United Kingdom ought to as well, are ones of internationalism and free and fair trade.

This division will end at 10pm on the 15th February.