(a) whether India has demanded special and differential treatment in fishery subsidy disciplines being negotiated at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) so that small and marginal fishermen get exempted;
(b) if so, the response of the WTO thereto;
(c) whether the Government has also insisted that developing countries be given capacity building assistance to help in implementation of a global agreement to check over fishing; and
(d) if so, the response of the WTO thereto?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)
(a) to (d): Yes, Madam. India alongwith other WTO members such as South Africa and other African, Caribbean and Pacific group of countries have been seeking effective Special and Differential (S&D) treatment for developing countries and LDCs, keeping in view their developmental needs, poverty reduction, livelihood and food security concerns. India and some of the WTO member countries have earlier submitted papers before the Negotiating Group detailing the need and importance of S&D provisions particularly for the small, marginal and artisanal fisheries in the developing countries and LDCs. Capacity building assistance would be a part of the S&D provisions. Negotiations on fishery subsidies discipline, which was on hold since 2011, restarted just prior to Nairobi Ministerial Meeting held in December, 2015. Since then, members have been showing interest for recommencing negotiations on fishery subsidy discipline. In these negotiations, India and some of the WTO member countries have reiterated the need for S&D provisions, as an integral part of fishery subsidy discipline.
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