Quezon City, Philippines – While negotiators from 39 member countries of WTO again meet in Geneva this week for a mini-ministerial meeting in efforts to conclude the much delayed, much controversial Doha Development Round of Negotiations, around 100 farmers and supporters belonging to the Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA)and other farmer groups and civil society organizations march to the Department of Agriculture (DA) to ask Philippine WTO negotiators to reject the July 10 text of the Doha round and not to sign to a new round of agreement. Agriculture has been a contentious issue since the Round started in 2001.
Bearing placards that say “No to Deal on AoA!,” the marchers included groups such as R1, TFFS, PNLC, PKKK, and AFA. They set up huge billboard at the gate of the DA containing a special order from peasants that the Philippine negotiators should (1) demand the reduction of subsidies of developed countries and (2) ask the WTO negotiators to go back to the original proposal of G33 and lobby for good SSM agreement. Otherwise, there should be no deal on AoA.
(Photo taken by Mr. Kang, Min Su.)
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