Question : SUBSIDY TO FARMERS

(a) whether large scale subsidy is given in America and other European countries in the field of Agriculture for products to be used indigenously as well as those meant for exports;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government in this regard;

(c) whether this subject was discussed by the Government in the talks held under the banner of World Trade Organisation;

(d) if so, the names of the members of the Indian delegation that went for holding talks; and

(e) the outcome of the discussions held in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE(SHRI SHRIPAD Y. NAIK)

(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. In view of the high level of domestic support to agriculture and subsidies on exports in several developed countries, India has been articulating the demand for substantial reduction in domestic support and elimination of export subsidies by the developed countries.

(c) In the Special Sessions of the WTO Committee on Agriculture proposals filed by some member countries for reduction of subsidies and support to agriculture in developed countries were discussed in which India had also participated.

(d) Shri R.C.A. Jain, Additional Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation was deputed from India to attend the Special Sessions of the WTO Committee on Agriculture held in June, September and November, 2000 in Geneva. Besides, Shri S. Narayanan, Ambassador/Permanent Representative of India to WTO, and other officers from the Permanent Mission of India to WTO at Geneva have also been participating in the discussions on the Agreement on Agriculture in the WTO.

(e) The member countries have time upto December, 2000 to file their initial negotiating proposals on Agreement on Agriculture. The Committee on Agriculture will discuss these proposals in its subsequent Special Sessions. No time limit has been fixed for concluding the negotiations.