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We must deliver now, says WTO chief

WTO chief Supachai Panitchpakdi on Thursday pressed the EU and other members to come forward with explicit proposals in global talks to reform the farming industry.

In an interview the director-general of the WTO voiced what he called "some limited concern" about the negotiations which aim to cut farming subsidies.

He acknowledged there had been delays by Japan and the EU to make proposals, although he said both were "forthcoming," especially from Japan. Tokyo this week presented a plan that did not contain figures.

Turning to Brussels, Supachai said he had been reassured the 15-nation bloc wanted progress on agriculture and said he knew officials were working "quite dedicatedly" on a proposal.

But Supachai stressed the need for explicit figures to be tabled as early as possible.

He said there was "no dissenting voice" on the general direction of the talks but added, "It's how much we are going, how fast we are going, that should be discussed as early as possible."

WTO members must agree by March 2003 on the ground rules for the agriculture negotiations.
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