New Delhi: India has protected the interests of farmers and fishermen in the recently concluded ministerial conference of World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Sunday. According to a report by news agency PTI, Goyal, who led the Indian delegation for the conference, said that the decisions taken will further boost the role of the multi-lateral organisation in promoting global trade.
As per the report, the four-day conference of the 164-member body, which started on June 12, concluded on June 17 after negotiations.
"In the WTO ministerial conference, we fully protected the interests of farmers, MSMEs, and fishermen. There will be no burden on them. We protected their interests," the minister said while speaking at an event where Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the main tunnel and five underpasses of Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor Project in New Delhi.
Members of the Geneva-based WTO secured a 'Geneva Package' which included agreements on curbing harmful fishing subsidies and temporary patent waiver for production of Covid-19 vaccines.
"Checks are being placed on illegal fishing in the high seas and our fishermen will have full freedom in our EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zones). Similarly, we have ensured the MSP (Minimum Support Price) stays and our farmers interests have been protected," Goyal said.
He further added that developed countries engaged in distant water fishing won’t be able to provide subsidies for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities.
Further, the MSP operations for farmers are also protected and "farmers will not have any problem," he said.
It is to be noted that the WTO formulates rules for international imports and exports, and adjudicates disputes between two or more nations. As per its rules, all decisions are taken by consensus and a single member nation can veto a decision.