A common challenge” “

The elimination of subsidies on farm exports enjoyed, in particular, by the USA, Japan and the European Union; the reduction of the support measures that distort trade; the launch of policies to provide subsidies to protected environmental area, aid to small family-scale production and reduction of poverty. These are the main requests made by the Irish Commission for Justice and Social Affairs (ICJSA) of the Bishops’ Conference of Ireland on the eve of the opening of the sixth summit of the WTO (World Trade Organization), which opens in Hong Kong on 13 December (and ends on 18 Dec.). The ICJSA, chaired by Bishop Raymond Field, plays the role of assisting the Irish bishops in the promotion of the social teaching of the Church and furnishes opinions on social issues of national and international relevance. FAIR TRADE. “As the only global organization which determines rules of trade between nations – says the position paper of the Commission to mark the 6th WTO ministerial conference in Hong Kong – the occasion of this conference affords an invaluable opportunity for the ICJSA to reflect upon the ethical dimension of international trade and to add its voice to those who look to the WTO to make rules which foster food security, livelihood security and advance rural development objectives. Making fair trade rules, consistent with development objectives, is essential for poverty reduction and sustainable development”. As was stated in the recent pastoral letter of the Irish bishops on international development, “commitment to the global common good also challenges the international structures of trade”. Recalling the present trade round negotiations, the Doha Development Agenda (2001), the ICJSA expresses the hope that “the upcoming Hong Kong ministerial conference [would] give priority to addressing the development dimension of trade in the work to promote human rights, ensure sustainable development, and eliminate poverty”. THE COMMON GOOD. “The human person with inalienable human rights is the only proper focus of all social and economic relations – the position paper continues -; and therefore, the progressive opening up of markets to international trade is something to be welcomed, but only if it contributes to the global common good. In particular – emphasises the document – any such developments need to be preceded by a considered analysis of their impact on poor people in developing countries”. The Commission says that “the very least that must be insisted upon at the upcoming WTO conference is that developing countries need the necessary policy space to determine what rate of liberalisation is consistent with their legitimate development objectives. Furthermore, consideration should be given to an ‘Aid for Trade Fund’ to provide developing countries with the finances and technical assistance needed to address the adjustments costs arising from the Doha negotiations and to improve their trade-related infrastructure”. Today, points out the Commission, “1.2 billion people worldwide are living on less than a dollar a day, while 900 million are dependent on agriculture for a living. Consequently, they will be the first to be affected by decisions reached in Hong Kong. If the WTO acts to promote sustainable agricultural growth in the developing world it will have an appreciable impact on poverty reduction. In this context – the document notes – it is worthwhile observing that a 1% increase in agricultural productivity would reduce the proportion of people living on less than a dollar a day by 0,6% – 1,2%”. CONCRETE MEASURES. “As a member of the world’s largest economic block, Ireland – continues the document – already makes a substantial contribution to combating poverty in developing countries”. “While acknowledging the importance of agriculture to the Irish economy and the manner in which the identity and cultural life of Ireland is bound up with a vibrant agricultural sector, our responsibility is to pursue agricultural reform which is people rather than business led, sustaining livelihoods and thereby promoting sustainable development”. To this end the Commission calls for “the elimination of all forms of export support, which by definition can only be afforded by wealthier countries or economic blocks such as the US, Japan and the EU; moves made to eliminate all trade distorting subsidies; and efforts made “to ensure that all remaining subsidies to farmers be prioritised in a manner that will support initiatives in the areas of environmental protection, small family-based production and poverty reduction”. Lastly, the document refers to food aid, which is welcome in an emergency, but “can act as a disincentive to food production in the developing world”. In non-emergency situations, indeed, “food aid could be regarded as a form of dumping that disrupts the competitive position of small-scale farmers and threatens food security. In the light of this reality, all such aid should be subjected to appropriate scrutiny to ensure it does not impact negatively on the long-term development of the indigenous population”.