REQUEST FOR EU MEMBER STATES TO SUPPORT US WTO AG

UNCLAS MADRID 003652

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ETRD SP WTRO
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR EU MEMBER STATES TO SUPPORT US WTO AG
PROPOSAL -- SPAIN

REF: STATE 190730


1. Post made reftel demarche points to Alicia Villaruiz,
Director for International Affairs at the Ministry of
Agriculture on October 17. Ms. Villaruiz responded with the
following points:

-- In Spain's view, the EU has already reformed its
agricultural practices far more than any other WTO member,
and as a result, it is time for other WTO members to increase
their offers in the Doha negotiations;

-- Spanish farmers are struggling with the current CAP
reforms and are not inclined to take on additional reforms
during the implementation period that may be associated with
a Doha agreement;

-- Market access is a big concern -- Spain does not believe
the EU can afford to go further in this area;

-- Spain does not see that other WTO members have done
enough to eliminate export subsidies. In particular, the
Spanish believe the United States must reform its food
assistance program as an integral part of the Doha
negotiating round to eliminate export subsidies; and

-- All this being said, the Spanish remain optimistic that
compromise can be reached -- but maybe not by the next
Ministerial.
AGUIRRE