"The lack of progress with the liberalisation of agricultural trade requires from Agri SA to cooperate with like-minded producer organisations from other countries to give momentum to World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations," says Möller.
The CGFL was formed in 1986, consisting of members from both developed and developing food exporting countries. The basic aim of this grouping is to reform the distorted agricultural trade regime, including the challenge for more liberal market access.
At its recent meeting the CGFL considered its future role and contributions towards WTO negotiations. "Like any other grouping dealing with the interest of specific stakeholders, agricultural forums and structures should also periodically be subjected to evaluation with a view to determining their relevance," says Möller.
Möller says that the purpose of the CGFL was not questioned during the particular meeting. "In fact, it became clear that the grouping as such has an even more important role to play given the world's food security challenges. It is an economic reality that if markets are not allowed to operate to the fullest possible extent, resources will also not be utilised optimally. This will not bode well for increased agricultural production, the particular value chains and eventually for food security," says Möller.
He added that due to the protection of and support to the agricultural sectors of predominantly developed countries, agriculture remains the most distorted sector in the world, a situation the CGFL still seeks to address especially given the limited progress having been made during the DOHA round of the WTO.
"The members of the CGFL agreed to do an analysis of what should be done by this grouping, how it should be done and to communicate its message effectively. This implies that the CGFL is reviewing its strategy - a process to be completed within the next three months. Australia's National Farmers' Federation will continue to lead the grouping. The emphasis on food security worldwide brought new dynamism to the grouping," Möller concludes.
