Ukraine has joined a statement of members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on joint WTO efforts to ensure open and predictable trade for food and agricultural products amid COVID-19, the Ministry for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine said on April 24.
“On April 22, 2020, WTO members, including Ukraine, spread a joint statement on joint WTO efforts to ensure open and predictable trade for food and agricultural products amid COVID-19,” the ministry said on its website.
The document was made public after a statement of G20 agricultural ministers to adhere to the common goal of enhancing food security, food safety and nutrition in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
According to the statement, the WTO member states underscored the importance of maintaining agriculture supply chains and preserving the ability of Members to import agriculture and agri-food products to meet their domestic needs. The signatories called on all WTO members to coordinate steps in this direction.
“The timely and accurate provision of information on agriculture and agri-food-related trade measures, levels of production, consumption and stocks, as well as prices, reduces uncertainty and allows governments, traders, consumers, producers to make informed decisions,” they said in the statement.
In addition, the signatories declared that they are committed to exercise restraint in establishing domestic food stocks of agricultural products that are traditionally exported so as to avoid disruptions or distortions in international trade.
“That emergency measures related to agriculture and agri-food products designed to tackle COVID-19 must be targeted, proportionate, transparent, and temporary, and not create unnecessary barriers to trade or disruption to global supply chains for agriculture and agri-food products,” they said.
According to the statement, the WTO member states are committed to inform the WTO as soon as practicable of any trade related COVID-19 measures affecting agriculture and agri-food products, including providing scientific evidence in accordance with WTO agreements if necessary, to ensure transparency and predictability. Members should be given opportunities to review new measures. They are also committed to ensure that updated and accurate information on levels of food production, consumption and stocks, as well as on food prices is widely available, including through existing international mechanisms.
