low graphics version | feedback | help
| Front Page World UK UK Politics |
| Business |
|
Market Data Economy Companies Your Money Business Basics |
| Sci/Tech Health Education Sport Entertainment Talking Point In Depth AudioVideo |
|
 The BBC's diplomatic correspondent Barnaby Mason"Furious reaction to WTO working group on biotechnology"  real 28k The BBC's Robert Piggott"Many developing countries say barriers to trade will reinforce their poverty"  real 28k The BBC's Richard Quest"It's taken years to get here but at last there's serious talking taking place" real 28k The BBC's Andrew Walker"It's hardly surprising that these negotiations are proving difficult" real 28kThe BBC's Paul Reynolds"Seattle has been much calmer during the day" real 28k |
Time running out for WTO talks
The WTO tallks prompt protests in the Philippines |
Trade ministers from around the world are working to salvage an agreement on the launch of a new round of trade-liberalisation talks ahead of a Friday evening deadline.
 |
|
|
|
Sticking points include |
 |
Agriculture |
|
Biotechnology |
|
Labour rights |
After three days of mass protests on the streets, trade ministers are still far apart on many key issues.
Agriculture row
The European Union has come under intense pressure to make concessions on agriculture
GM crops are causing concern in Europe |
EU agriculture commissioner Franz Fischler said the new text - represented a "positive development" but did not sufficiently reflect EU concerns.
French President Jacques Chirac insisted the EU would not compromise on the issue of farm subsidies.
 Under no circumstances shall we accept a text which...anticipate(s) a gradual abolition of European export assistance for agricultural produce.  |
| Jacques Chirac |
Failure on biotechnology
An agreement to examine the issue of genetically modified foods within the WTO also looked doomed, after the EU withdrew earlier concessions.
The US - the world's biggest exporter of GM crops - wanted to establish a working group to examine the issue, and had appeared to gain EU support for the idea.
That angered environmentalists and some EU environment ministers, who believed that would contradict UN efforts to restrict trade in GM products on health grounds.
But now the EU wants the mandate of the working group extended to cover consumer and environmental issues, a stance the US rejects.
Labour rights
Heated debate also continued on the US proposal to link trade with labour rights in developing countries.
President Clinton signs child labour accord |
Many developing countries fear that any rules on labour conditions might be used as form of disguised protectionism.
"We cannot agree to the inclusion of labour in the WTO," said the secretary-general of Malaysia's ministry of international trade and security.
|
Search BBC News Online |
|
|
 Advanced search options | |
| |
 | |
 | |
| |
|
| BBC RADIO NEWS |
| |
| |
|
| BBC ONE TV NEWS |
| |
| |
| WORLD NEWS SUMMARY |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| PROGRAMMES GUIDE |
|
|
See also: |
|
 |
|
 |
03 Dec 99 | Business |
|
The waiting game |
| |
|
|
03 Dec 99 | Business |
|
Farm fight follies |
| |
|
|
02 Dec 99 | Business |
|
Clinton drive on labour rights |
| |
|
|
01 Dec 99 | Battle for Free Trade |
|
Seattle trade talks timeline |
| |
|
|
02 Dec 99 | Americas |
|
Eyewitness: The Battle of Seattle |
| |
|
|
02 Dec 99 | Business |
|
EU makes biotech concessions |
| |
|
|
02 Dec 99 | Business |
|
WTO tackles the internet |
| |
|
|
02 Dec 99 | Americas |
|
Seattle police tactics under scrutiny |
| |
|
|
23 Nov 99 | Battle for Free Trade |
|
Free trade flashpoints |
| |
|
|
Internet links: |
|
|
|
|
|
WTO |
| |
|
|
US Trade Representative |
| |
|
|
Anti-WTO action page |
| |
|
|
European Union Trade Directorate |
| |
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites |
|
Links to other Business stories are at the foot of the page.
E-mail this story to a friend
~RS~a~RS~international~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~00~RS~)