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