The United States, the European Union and 20 other members of the World Trade Organization agreed to keep trade in food and agricultural products open amid restrictions designed to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.
In a joint declaration dated April 22, WTO members, which include Australia, Brazil, Canada and Japan, said some countries were imposing export restrictions despite past lessons that this increased food insecurity for vulnerable populations.
"The world's poor, including agricultural workers, would be hardest hit by increased export restrictions," the statement said.
The main exporter of rice India paused rice exports due to labor shortages and logistical problems. The third-largest rice exporter in Vietnam has also slowed down exports.
African nations, where many people spend more than half their income on food, are among the most vulnerable to disruptions in the supply of basic foodstuffs.
The WTO group, which represents 63% of global agricultural and agri-food exports and 55% of imports, said it was committed to not imposing export restrictions on these products and to restricting the establishment of national food stocks.
The group also committed to ensuring that supply chains remain open and that emergency measures must be targeted, proportionate, transparent and temporary. Members also agreed to discuss how to improve the WTO's preparedness for regional and international pandemics.
The other signatories are Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malawi, Mexico, New Zealand, Paraguay, Peru, Qatar, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine and Uruguay.
Source: Reuters
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