NEWS RELEASES

July 30, 2004 (10:00 a.m. EDT) No. 83

WTO TALKS CONTINUE IN GENEVA:
DRAFT TEXT RELEASED

International Trade Minister Jim Peterson and Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Andy Mitchell are in Geneva to negotiate a framework for the next stages of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha Round global trade talks.

The Chair of the WTO's General Council today circulated a revised draft decision to all 147 WTO members. The draft text, which sets out a proposed framework for more talks to liberalize world trade, requires further work regarding key Canadian concerns.

Ministers Peterson and Mitchell continue to negotiate intensively with their counterparts to improve the text and ensure it reflects Canadian interests. Key priorities for Canada revolve around addressing issues important to Canadian agricultural producers and processors; further liberalizing trade in goods and services; cutting red tape at borders; improving the rules on anti-dumping measures; and better integrating developing countries into the global trading system.

Ministers are working closely with the many Canadian agricultural producers and processors currently in Geneva, as well as stakeholders in Canada and provincial and territorial governments, to advance Canada's position.

If WTO members can reach agreement in the coming hours and days on a framework for negotiations, the WTO's General Council will adopt the text as a decision.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Jacqueline LaRocque
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Trade
(613) 265-8632 (international cell)
(613) 992-7332

Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada and International Trade Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca

Christine Aquino
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
(613) 759-1020

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
(613) 759-7972