In the second in a series of consultations on the WTO’s Doha Development Agenda (DDA), the OECS Secretariat will bring Trade and Fisheries Officials from OECS-WTO members to St. John’s, Antigua on 8-9th April,  to discuss  rules for the treatment of fisheries subsidies.  The meeting will be funded by the Hub & Spokes Project, a joint project of the European Union (EU) and the Commonwealth Secretariat. Technical support will be provided by the OECS and WTO Secretariats.

Some WTO members are lobbying for rules that will limit the use of fisheries subsidies because of their trade distorting effect and the harmful impact on fish stocks and the environment.  The OECS contends that the subsidies provided to the sector by small vulnerable economies are developmental and are directed at small scale or artisanal fisheries and therefore do not have a negative impact on trade. Fisheries are of economic and social significance throughout the OECS, contributing over EC$138 million to the region’s GDP.

Officials will consider the latest negotiating texts prepared by the WTO Secretariat which outline the proposed rules for the use of fisheries subsidies, the way forward or roadmap for the negotiations as well other development issues relating to the Fisheries Sector.