WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/AG/NG/W/123
13 February 2001
(01-0670)
Committee on Agriculture
Special SessionOriginal:  English
FIFTH SPECIAL SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
5-7 FEBRUARY 2001
Statement by Slovenia
G/AG/NG/W/94 (Proposal by Switzerland)
The Delegation of Slovenia would like to express the sincere appreciation to Switzerland for
having tabled the comprehensive proposal.  Slovenia as a small economy in transition strongly
supports the Swiss proposal that special consideration, in different aspects of the reform of agriculture
area, should be given, among different agricultural economies, also to countries in transition and small
vulnerable economies.  From our perspective it is of great importance that Switzerland in its proposaldid recognize the unique problems of these economies in the agricultural sector which should be taken
into account when the new disciplines and commitments will be worked out.
We strongly support the approach proposed on non-trade concerns which deserve serious
consideration.  This applies in particular to measures ensuring the sustainable vitality of rural areas.We are looking forward to the discussions on the instruments to be used to deal with non-trade
concerns.
Further, Slovenia supports the proposal on dealing with other agricultural policy objectives,
such as the protection of geographical indications, problems relating to production methods and the
internalization of environmental costs or its externalities.  We agree that progress on those topics is a
precondition to achieve any ambitious results on agricultural reform process.
We have found ideas on food safety issues related to consumer protection as very important,
due to the fact that these issues are an integral part of our national agricultural policy and regulation.
We also share the same position concerning progressive reduction of tariffs in the market
access negotiations.  For small economies it is of utmost importance that tariffs should be negotiated
on a product-by-product and case-by-case basis while taking into account the context of non-trade
concerns.
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