Press Release

 

For Immediate Release October 25, 2005

Contact: Stephanie K. Childs 202-337-9400 or schilds@gmabrands.com

WTO Negotiations Must Increase Market Access For Food Products

Oct. 25, 2005, Washington, D.C. - At today's launch of the American Business Coalition for Doha (ABCDoha), the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) called on the U.S. government to aggressively pursue increased market access for American food products during the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Doha Round of negotiations.

"The WTO negotiations offer great potential for expanding U.S. exports, especially packaged foods," said GMA Senior Director of International Trade Sarah Thorn. "However, to realize these new opportunities, trading partners, especially the European Union, should match the U.S. government's proposals with equally ambitious concessions to reduce tariff barriers to trade."

As a member of ABCDoha, GMA is advocating for several outcomes during the WTO negotiations, including:

• Setting an ambitious formula to reduce tariff peaks and tariff escalation for all products, even those considered to be "sensitive" commodities.
• Eliminating export subsidies for agricultural products within the next five years.
• Ensuring that there will be no new negotiations on geographical indications.

GMA is a steering committee member of ABCDoha, which represents a broad cross-section of major U.S. trade associations, large and small businesses, and agriculture groups dedicated to achieving an ambitious, balanced, and comprehensive outcome to the WTO's Doha Round of negotiations.

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The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) represents the world's leading branded food, beverage and consumer products companies. Since 1908, GMA has been an advocate for its members on public policy issues and has championed initiatives to increase industrywide productivity and growth. GMA member companies employ more than 2.5 million workers in all 50 states and account for more than $680 billion in sales. The association is led by a board of member company chief executives. For more information, visit the GMA Web site at www.gmabrands.com.