During a recent meeting, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Agriculture reviewed agricultural policies and discussed food security issues. Members raised 115 questions about individual notifications and specific implementation matters related to the Agreement on Agriculture. Of these, 18 were new topics, with India submitting 12 questions focused on climate resilience, technological innovation, sustainable food systems, and green production in countries such as Australia, Brazil, Japan, Paraguay, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. India also questioned the European Union's special agricultural safeguards and policies in Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United States.
Other new topics included inquiries directed at New Zealand regarding dairy export statistics and at the United States concerning tariff revenues used for farmer aid. Ongoing discussions from previous meetings covered India's pulse policies and public stockpiling issues; Bangladesh's beef import measures; Canada's dairy support; China's support for US cotton; Egypt's wheat procurement policy; EU deforestation regulations; Malaysia's sales tax; and targeted US agricultural support.
The Chair of the Committee emphasized the need for timely notifications and responses to outstanding questions to improve transparency. The Chair stated: "The critical importance of enhanced transparency" was stressed along with urging members to submit timely replies.
Members also discussed a WTO Secretariat background paper summarizing participation in world trade in agricultural products under Article 18.5 of the Agreement on Agriculture. Visual data are available through WTO charts on world trade in agricultural products.
The Committee concluded its second triennial review of the Bali Ministerial Decision on Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) Administration by adopting a report aimed at improving transparency in TRQ utilization. Members have until December 2, 2025 to consult their capitals before final adoption of this report.
Progress was also discussed regarding requirements under a March 2025 decision on TRQ administration. Additionally, members reviewed a Secretariat background paper that summarizes three decades of monitoring under the Marrakesh Ministerial Decision concerning least developed countries (LDCs) and net food-importing developing countries (NFIDCs). The discussion highlighted ongoing food security challenges faced by LDCs and NFIDCs due to dependence on global markets and foreign exchange risks.
Members continued follow-up work based on recommendations from a dedicated programme addressing food insecurity established after instructions from the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference. Suggestions were made to monitor how these recommendations are implemented using updated data from Secretariat reports.
On technology transfer in agriculture—a topic brought forward by the African Group—members examined how policy tools could better promote innovation domestically within developing economies.
South Africa provided an update about G20 Presidency efforts relating to food security. International organizations including the International Grains Council (IGC), UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP), and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reported recent market developments affecting global food security.
The IGC noted that all parties to the Food Assistance Convention met or exceeded commitments through various forms of assistance such as cash-based transfers. The FAO warned that acute hunger remains severe globally despite some improvements: "World hunger remains severe with acute food insecurity deepening in 16 hunger spots," noting conflict as a main driver while funding declines for assistance programs.
The WFP reported that "food insecurity is expected to remain at alarming levels in 2026," estimating that up to 318 million people face acute insecurity worldwide with millions more at risk if funding shortfalls persist: "Funding shortfalls could push up to 13.7 million people currently experiencing crisis level... into emergency level."
According to OECD analysis since September 2025, agricultural trade has grown significantly since 1995—now accounting for around one-fifth of calories consumed globally—and it continues tracking trends through its export restriction database.
The next Committee meeting is scheduled for May 27-28, 2026.