At WTO MC14 in Yaoundé, WFO delegates advocated for a fair, rules-based trading system for farmers to compete, invest and contribute to global food security.

From 26 to 29 March, a delegation from the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) attended the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Yaoundé, Cameroon, to participate in conference’s activities, following closely agricultural negotiations.

Throughout the Conference, WFO brought forward farmers’ priorities, emphasising the need for a fair, predictable and rules-based multilateral trading system that enables farmers to compete, invest and contribute to global food security.

The delegation was led by President Arnold Puech d’Alissac and included WFO Secretary General Andrea Porro, alongside representatives from WFO member farmers’ organisations: Bodhild Fjelltveit and Hildegunn Gjengedal (Norges Bondelag), Yves Ruel (Canadian Federation of Agriculture), Klaas Johan Osinga (Dutch Agriculture and Horticulture Association), Prince Fataki (Réseau pour la Sécurité et la Souveraineté Alimentaire en République Démocratique du Congo), and Paul Zakariya (Zimbabwe Farmers Union).

At the centre of WFO’s engagement was its official statement ahead of MC14, outlining farmers’ priorities for agricultural trade negotiations and reaffirming the importance of a trading system that works for farmers.

No ministerial decision on agriculture was adopted at MC14, as WTO Members were unable to reach consensus on key issues. Divergences remain across core areas of the negotiations, and discussions will continue in Geneva under existing mandates. More broadly, MC14 also did not deliver agreement on WTO reform, with members unable to converge on a shared direction for updating the multilateral trading system.

©WFO

“A predictable and rules-based multilateral trading system is essential for farmers. It determines their ability to access markets, manage risks and continue investing in sustainable production. Ensuring that farmers’ realities are reflected in trade discussions is therefore critical,” said WFO Secretary General Andrea Porro.

The Conference did, however, adopt a ministerial decision related to the implementation of special and differential treatment provisions under WTO rules on food safety, animal and plant health measures, as well as product standards and technical requirements. While procedural in nature, this outcome remains relevant for agricultural trade, as these measures influence market access and the conditions under which agri-food products are traded.

Against a backdrop of increasing geopolitical tensions, market volatility and climate pressures, the discussions at MC14 confirmed how critical a well-functioning multilateral trading system is for agriculture. Farmers are among the first to feel the impacts of these disruptions and depend on stable and predictable trade frameworks to manage risks and sustain their activities.

Looking beyond the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference, reinforcing the global agricultural trading system is not a matter of choice but a necessity. WFO is fully committed to advocating for strengthening international standards, eliminating unlawful protectionist measures, capacity-building for underrepresented and vulnerable groups, investing in trade infrastructure, improving transparency, and ensuring a trading system in which farmers benefit fairly and governments prevent the abuse of market power.

Detailed policy recommendations are outlined in the WFO Policy on International Trade.

Cover photo by ©WFO