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WTO - Fisheries Subsidies

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October 28, 2017

What is the issue?

  • WTO is considering proposals on prohibiting certain fisheries subsidies in its upcoming Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • However India and many developing countries are certainly concerned with this.

What is the concern?

  • The issue gathered pace when an informal grouping of members called “Friends of Fish” demanded for curbing fisheries subsidies.
  • The group included Argentina, Australia, Chile, Colombia, New Zealand, Norway, Iceland, Pakistan, Peru and the US.
  • They highlighted that subsidies to the fisheries sector have led to over-capacity and overfishing.
  • Countries including Japan, South Korea and Chinese Taipei have expressed uncertainty over the link between subsidies and over-fishing.
  • On the other hand, many developing countries such as India and Philippines seek flexibility in granting subsidies.
  • India provides subsidies in the form of support for motorisation of fishing boats, fuel rebates and infrastructure support.
  • Notably all of this fall under the targeted subsidies list at the WTO.

What is India's proposal?

  • Subsidies - India has proposed the members to agree to apply prohibitions only outside territorial waters.
  • This would leave the management of territorial waters to their respective national authorities.
  • This provision is exceptional of the prohibition in cases of IUU (illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing).
  • Such an arrangement would not disturb the benefit of subsidies offered to small scale fishers, and continue to protect subsistence and artisanal fishing.
  • The proposal has generated a lot of interest from members including the ones pushing seriously for a prohibiting pact.
  • Over-fishing - India has suggested a flexibility clause for the concern on over-fishing.
  • Accordingly, when a fish stock is found to be over-fished, developing countries must be given some flexibility in terms of time period.
  • Within a specified number of years, the country should withdraw the related subsidies.
  • And this rule should only cover areas beyond the territorial waters.

 

Source: The Hindu, BusinessLine

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