Agricultural Trade Negotiations and the Challenges of Food Security

Abstract

Multilateral trade negotiations during the Doha Round (DR) have faced great difficulties in reaching a conclusion, raising scepticism regarding the possibility of an acceptable deal. The slow pace of reforms in agricultural policies in the developed countries has reinforced this assessment. The debate about the prospects of the DR has focused on the impacts of liberalization on all trading partners. The argument of this article contains a critical review of liberalization as a guide to the organization of the international market and domestic food systems. The prevailing view of free trade is criticized with emphasis on the weakness and flaws of the multilateral arrangements, despite the results of the Bali Conference. Also, the need for change in the direction of national policies is considered, away from their liberal promises, with particular attention given to the recent food crisis and the challenges for a global food security agenda.