Special Agricultural Safeguards: Virtual Benefits and Real Costs—Lessons for the Doha Round
IMF Working Papers, June 1, 2005
Source details
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- Special Agricultural Safeguards: Virtual Benefits and Real Costs—Lessons for the Doha Round
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Bibliographic details
- Authors: Jean-Jacques Hallaert
- Published: June 1, 2005
- Series: IMF Working Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781451861501.001
Summary
- Paper examines the special agricultural safeguards (SSGs) introduced by the Uruguay Round and the proposed special safeguard mechanism for developing countries in the Doha Round.
- Main argument: SSGs have often been used as a prolonged protectionist device, in violation of the spirit of the WTO Agreement in Agriculture.
- The paper draws lessons for the design of a special safeguard mechanism.
Findings and analysis
- SSGs can function as de facto protectionism rather than temporary safety valves.
- Use of SSGs has undermined the spirit of the WTO Agreement in Agriculture by prolonging protection.
- The analysis focuses on the application, incentives, and effects of SSGs on trade and tariffs.
Policy lessons and recommendations
- Design of any special safeguard mechanism should mitigate its potential to become a prolonged protectionist device.
- Safeguard mechanism design should align with the spirit of the WTO Agreement in Agriculture to avoid persistent tariff protection.