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`WTO farm normsmay spell doom'
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
New Delhi, Nov 16: The World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Agriculture (AOA) could spell doom for India's hard-earned self-sufficiency in food grain production and the reins of the country's food security would very well go into the hands of the multinationals, according to a report.The report, circulated by a nine-member team of farmers which will be in Seattle to protest against the WTO talks to be held this month-end, apprehends that the new regime in agriculture will only aim at ``eliminating the hungry and not hunger, small and marginal farmers and not unsustainable agriculture.''``It seeks to limit the extent of farm support granted by countries, and at the same time allows granting of income support to farmers. ``It emphasises on increased market access through tariffication of existing non-tariff barriers and establishment of minimum access opportunities and at the same time have provisions that limit the role of public stocking of food grains. ``Although the WTO's primary concern is to demarcate the contours of the trading regime, AOA represents the most cogent expression that impinges on the domestic policy. Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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