PROHIBITION OF SUBSIDIES IN DISPUTED WATERS

Proposal by the Philippines

The following communication, dated 15 November 2017, is being circulated at the request of the Delegation of the Philippines.

_______________

FISHERIES SUBSIDIES DISCIPLINES

DRAFT MINISTERIAL DECISION

13 December 2017

The Ministerial Conference,

Having regard to Article IX of the Marrakech Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organisation ('WTO');

Decides as follows:

…

…

…

(The following is to be inserted as the second paragraph of Article 3: Prohibited Subsidies under the draft vertical text contained in RD/TN/RL/29/Rev.1 dated 10 November 2017 as follows:).

"A Member shall not provide subsidies to fishing and related activities in waters and areas that are claimed by more than one Member at the time of this Decision, unless the Members involved have agreed inter se to do so through a joint notification to the WTO.  For purposes of this provision, the Members shall cease from providing subsidies not later than [2020]."