October 21, 2005
Reaction from Patricia Forkan, president of Humane Society International.
Humane Society International (HSI) believes that the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has taken an important step forward in the WTO Agriculture Negotiations by proposing to cut trade-distorting domestic support subsidies, and encourage non-trade distorting programs aimed at promoting environmental, conservation, and animal protection programs (Green Box). This is a good first step and we applaud the effort, but much more needs to be done to ensure that this proposal will actually result in benefits for the environment, small farmers, and animals.
In particular, HSI supports the U.S. position that Green Box subsidies should not be limited under any expenditure caps. HSI believes this proposal provides an opportunity to implement animal welfare programs without distorting trade, which is consistent with the present criteria of Green Box programs as defined in paragraphs 1 and 12 of Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture. By adopting this approach, the United States is reiterating the statement made at the WTO Ministerial in Cancún where then USTR, Ambassador Robert Zoellick, publicly announced U.S. support for animal welfare payments that meet Green Box criteria.
HSI also supports the inclusion of a "peace clause" providing litigation protection for programs that conform to Green Box criteria, including animal welfare payments. Protecting such programs from possible WTO challenges would serve to ensure that animal welfare payments can safely and effectively be administered by all WTO Members without fear of reprisal.
