DRAFT DECISION ON AGRICULTURE NEGOTIATIONS

SUBMISSION FROM BRAZIL

The following submission, dated 5 December 2025, is being circulated at the request of the delegation of Brazil.

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1.   Introduction

Trade negotiations on agriculture cannot be considered in isolation from the broader work of the WTO, including the ongoing reform process. The call to level the playing field, which is one of the driving goals of the reform process on industrial subsidies, emerged within the agriculture negotiations context, where significant asymmetries persist - in rights and obligations, in tariff structures, in the employment of NTM, and in Members' treaty-based allowance and capacity to provide support. Addressing these structural imbalances is essential to ensure that agriculture contributes more fully to a fair and equitable multilateral trading system.

This discussion unfolds at a moment when two parallel dynamics shape multilateralism. First, the foundational principles of the WTO - notably non-discrimination and the objective of trade liberalization - are being tested by the proliferation of bilateral agreements outside the Organization, challenging the coherence of the multilateral system. Second, renewed global attention to food security and poverty reduction has underscored the need for effective, inclusive and development‑oriented responses. Initiatives such as the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, launched by President Lula as the flagship initiative of Brazil's G20 presidency and now operational, reflect the recognition that food-security challenges are multidimensional and require diversified policy tools. These two dynamics are not in contradiction: a strengthened multilateral trading system leading to more trade and enhanced global action on food security evidently can be mutually reinforcing objectives.

Discussions on the AoA pillars, mandated issues and related negotiating areas, no matter their importance for all Members, continue to challenge our collective capacity to deliver, but they have also generated a substantial body of knowledge that positions Members to consider a next stage of negotiations - one that merits Ministerial deliberation and guidance.

Against this background, Members now have an opportunity to revitalize negotiations on agricultural trade and chart a path toward a more balanced agricultural framework that reduces trade distortions and unfair competition, reflects development needs, strengthens the system's integrity and restores credibility to the multilateral process. 

2.   Draft Decision

Emphasizing the critical role the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core can play in addressing traditional and contemporary challenges faced by the food and agricultural systems;

Underscoring our determination to make progress towards the achievement of an open, fair, equitable and market-oriented agricultural trading system, our will to ensure Members' ability to develop policy tools to end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition, as well as to promote sustainable agriculture and food systems, enhancing productivity, yields, resilience and production, and taking into account the interests of small-scale food and agriculture producers;

Noting the limited progress to date on most agriculture negotiating avenues within the WTO, conscious of the complexity of the task at hand but convinced of its importance and that much work lies ahead towards meaningful negotiations and outcomes:

Decides that:

1.   Members commit to revitalize the agriculture negotiations.

2.   Members acknowledge the role of the Special Session of the Committee on Agriculture (CoA­‑SS), the work undertaken thus far, discussions among Members, and their existing and future submissions.

3.   In order to achieve tangible progress and concrete outcomes that contribute to the fulfilment of the objectives of Article 20 of the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) and to the successful implementation of Ministerial and other Decisions on agriculture, Members instruct the CoA-SS Chairperson to provide, based on Members' contributions, negotiating schedules to discuss all aspects of the negotiations, supporting them with balanced textual proposals as appropriate and agreed.

4.   In developing negotiating ideas and modalities, as well as timeframes and schedules, the Chairperson should be guided by the following criteria:

·_              Ensure broadly equivalent initial levels of ambition across negotiating areas, with the possibility of adjustment in light of:

-_             engagement between proponents and non-proponents;

-_             new proposals or ideas submitted by Members.

·_              Guarantee transparency and effective participation, including:

-_                 timely circulation of documents and information;

-_                 clear indication of expected objectives for each meeting.

·_              Avoid unnecessary overlap with meetings of other WTO bodies, enabling full delegation engagement and coherent participation.

·_              Facilitate structured interaction with external stakeholders and technical experts, when appropriate and consistent with WTO practice, to strengthen the analytical and evidence base of the negotiations.

·_              Actively identify potential areas of cross-pillar trade-offs, with a view to creating conditions for balanced compromises and mutually acceptable outcomes among Members.

5.   Senior Officials will meet one year after MC14 and make recommendations for the way forward on agricultural negotiations. Six months before MC15, Senior Officials will review the progress achieved in the negotiations.

6.   Members will work towards adopting a comprehensive agricultural framework and achieving modalities that balance Members interests and priorities.

7.   To work towards a comprehensive agricultural framework, the following elements should be considered:

a._         Modalities for a substantial, progressive and gradual reduction of all forms of domestic support. Members' contributions should take into consideration their share in distortions of international markets.

b._         An assessment of the Green Box and its criteria, with a view to preventing potential distortive effects on production and trade, while taking into account the objectives of food security, rural livelihoods and environmental protection.

c._         Improved market access conditions for food and agricultural products, with a view to creating new and better opportunities to obtain safe and nutritious food, and to foster productive, sustainable and resilient agrifood systems, advancing the reform taking into consideration proposal _JOB/AG/255/Rev.1.

d._         A transparent and effective Special Safeguard Mechanism, responsive to the specific needs of developing country Members.

e._         Effective special and differential treatment for developing and least-developed country Members, taking into account their respective realities, needs, capacities and levels of development.

f._          A more level and balanced regulatory framework, taking into consideration the interests and sensitivities of all Members, including the situation of those that undertook extensive reduction commitments upon accession to the WTO.

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