Development and Sustainability in WTO Fishery Subsidies Negotiations

1. Development and Sustainability in the WTO Fishery Subsidies Negotiations: Issues and Alternatives Session 1: KEY OBJECTIVES AND THEIR LOCATION IN THE NEGOTIATIONS David K. Schorr 11 May 2006, 9h00-18h00 International Environment House 1, Room 3 13 chemin des Anémones, Geneva, Switzerland

2. “What are we here to talk about . . . ?”

3. Article 27 Patently at Risk Market Integration de minimis Competition phase in Artisanal Fishing Food Security Development Sustainability Subsistence Special & Differential Treatment Growth Infant Industry Livelihoods Rural Communities Access Agreements phase out INTERESTS POLICIES PROGRAMMES RULES

4. Article 27 Patently at Risk CONTEXTS? Market Integration de minimis Competition phase in Artisanal Fishing Food Security Development Sustainability Subsistence IN COMMON?? IN TENSION?? Special & Differential Treatment Growth Infant Industry Livelihoods Rural Communities Access Agreements phase out INTERESTS POLICIES PROGRAMMES RULES

6. Note: this data, from Thorpe (FAO 2005) is presented to illustrate the diversity of national contexts only; no endorsement of the data or analysis is intended

7. Note: this data from Thorpe (FAO 2005) is presented to illustrate the diversity of national contexts only; no endorsement of the data or analysis is intended

8. Note: this data, from Thorpe (FAO 2005) is presented to illustrate the diversity of national contexts only; no endorsement of the data or analysis is intended

9. Note: this data from Thorpe (FAO 2005) is presented to illustrate the diversity of national contexts only; no endorsement of the data or analysis is intended

10. Note: this data, from Thorpe (FAO 2005) is presented to illustrate the diversity of national contexts only; no endorsement of the data or analysis is intended

11. CONTEXTS?

12. INTERESTS? IN COMMON?? IN TENSION?? • . . . Clearly both . . . but: • General strategic interests at WTO seem shared more than different contexts might imply . . . • The tensions that do exist are not always international . . . But often raise questions of domestic policy coherence

13. General Interests WHAT?HOW? LIVELIHOODS ACCESS . . . TO: SOCIAL SAFETY NET CAPITAL | TECHNOLOGY | MARKETS EMPLOYMENT . . . AND RESOURCES (FISHERIES) FOOD SECURITY DEVELOPMENT PREFERENTIAL COMPETITION

14. General Interests WHAT?HOW? LIVELIHOODS ACCESS . . . TO: SOCIAL SAFETY NET CAPITAL | TECHNOLOGY | MARKETS EMPLOYMENT . . . AND RESOURCES (FISHERIES) FOOD SECURITY DEVELOPMENT COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE (OR REMOVAL OF DISADVANGAGES!) These basic interests seem widely shared . . . . . . but their programmatic implications vary substantially per context and policy preferences

15. General Interests WHAT?HOW? LIVELIHOODS ACCESS . . . TO: SOCIAL SAFETY NET CAPITAL | TECHNOLOGY | MARKETS EMPLOYMENT . . . AND RESOURCES (FISHERIES) FOOD SECURITY DEVELOPMENT COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE (OR REMOVAL OF DISADVANGAGES!) These basic interests seem widely shared . . . . . . but their programmatic implications vary substantially per context and policy preferences

16. These basic interests seem widely shared . . . . . . but their programmatic implications vary substantially per context and policy preferences • For example: • access arrangements: may be part of a fisheries industry development strategy . . . or not! • social safety nets may aim to smooth very different transitions • . . . e.g., to a smaller industry or a larger one • . . . from labor to capital intensive • . . . from domestic to international markets

17. These basic interests seem widely shared . . . . . . but their programmatic implications vary substantially per context and policy preferences Another good example . . . the discussion of “Artisanal Fishing” (see UNEP paper)

18. Table 1 — Elements of a Definition of “Artisanal Fishing” Based on Schorr, Artisanal Fishing: Promoting Poverty Reduction and Community Development Through New WTO Rules on Fisheries Subsidies (UNEP 2006)

19. Table 1 — Elements of a Definition of “Artisanal Fishing”

20. Table 1 — Elements of a Definition of “Artisanal Fishing” “Industrial Artisanal Fishing”??

21. INTERESTS? IN COMMON?? IN TENSION?? • . . . Clearly both . . . but: • General strategic interests at WTO seem shared more than different contexts might imply . . . • The tensions that do exist are not always international . . . But often raise questions of domestic policy coherence

22. Challenges to Policy Coherence OFFENSIVE / DEFENSIVE TRADE POLICY GOALS Seeking “preferential competition” AND an even playing field? (including where S-S competition matters) DEVELOPMENT (GROWTH) + SUSTAINABILITY

23. Challenges to Policy Coherence OFFENSIVE / DEFENSIVE TRADE POLICY GOALS Seeking “preferential competition” AND an even playing field? (including where S-S competition matters) DEVELOPMENT (GROWTH) + SUSTAINABILITY (especially if industrialization and/or industry growth is desired)

24. SO WHAT??

25. The task we face . . . = DRAFTING RULES • So far, concrete proposals on developing country interests have been relatively few, and often vague • The technical discussion has floated among several rule elements: • S&DT • “Artisanal Fishing” (and small scale?) • Access agreements (definition of a subsidy) • Diverse interests have been reflected in a common and imprecise vocabulary. • THE BIG CHALLENGE = STRIKING THE RIGHT BALANCE

26. The task we face . . . = DRAFTING RULES • So far, concrete proposals on developing country interests have been relatively few, and mostly vague • The technical discussion has floated among several rule elements: • S&DT • “Artisanal Fishing” (and small scale?) • Access agreements (definition of a subsidy) • Diverse interests have been reflected in a common and imprecise vocabulary. • THE BIG CHALLENGE = STRIKING THE RIGHT BALANCE

27. THE BIG CHALLENGE = STRIKING THE RIGHT BALANCE • . . . which requires a careful articulation of what is at stake . . . • . . . THUS . . . this workshop invites delegations to work from interests to text, rather than reacting to text based on interests . . . • . . . And so, this first session opens with the questions: • What are the specific development and sustainability objectives of governments in these negotiations? • What kind of programmes or policies are currently in place, or are envisioned for the future, to meet these objectives? Specific examples? • What are the key technical questions that most need answering in order to achieve the desired outcome?

28. Thanks for your attention!!