India not to compromise on food security, may stall WTO deal

Ahead of the two-day ministerial meeting of the WTO, India today toughened its stand ruling out any compromise on food security, raising the prospect of a failure of Doha round negotiations on trade issues.
New Delhi also expressed concern over developed countries stand on the overall package of the 33-member WTO meeting here saying on a few issues the rich nations are paying only "lip service".
India recently adopted an ambitious food security scheme guaranteeing highly subsidised foodgrains to two-thirds of its population, a programme that cannot be implemented if the current subsidy levels set by WTO for the country are accepted.

Addressing a press conference on the eve of the meet, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said the interim solution on food security as currently designed was not acceptable.
India will not compromise its farmers' interest or succumb to mercantilist ambitions of rich nations, he said.
There is a national consensus and complete political unanimity on this matter in India, Sharma said, adding: "It is therefore difficult for us to accept an interim solution as it has been currently designed.
"We can no longer allow the interests of our farmers to be compromised at the altar of mercantilist ambitions of the rich. The Bali Ministerial Meeting is an opportunity for the developing countries to stay united in resolve to demonstrate the centrality of agriculture in trade talks."

The five main points on the conference agenda are tariff rate, export competition, trade facilitation and public stockholding for food security. The developed nations want agreement on these areas at the Bali ministerial meeting but analyst doubt whether consensus can be built with countries like India voicing strong opposition to the text.