Livestock Sheep/Goats/Fishery

India pitches compelling case before WTO to safeguard small-scale fishermen

India WTO fishermen

India pitches compelling case before WTO to safeguard small-scale fishermen

India has made a strong case at the WTO for more effective carveouts for small-scale and artisanal fishers to safeguard their livelihood subsidies, and it dismissed the draft text circulated by the chair of the WTO negotiations on reducing overcapacity and overfishing (OCOF) subsidies, arguing that the special and differential treatment (SDT) provisions for its fishing communities should be strengthened.

Responding to intense efforts at the WTO to reach an agreement on additional provisions on fisheries subsidies as soon as possible rather than waiting for the WTO Ministerial Conference held every two years, New Delhi has also made submissions opposing allowing large-scale industrial fishing nations the flexibility to perpetuate their unsustainable subsidies and “unfair burdening” of developing countries.
Also Read | India being criticized at WTO for ‘not answering questions’ on MSP subsidies

“India is not prepared to be rushed into an agreement that does not adequately protect the subsidies provided to nine million fishing families, the majority of whom are small-scale fishers. It has submitted proposals to improve SDT provisions by granting greater flexibility to protect its fishers and tightening disciplines to prevent the perpetuation of unsustainable subsidies provided by industrial-fishing nations,” according to a source familiar with the matter.

It also wants to extend the complete exemption from OCOF subsidy cuts to all fishers from developing countries for fishing in the EEZ area (up to 200 nautical miles from the shore), Given that they have already agreed to strict regulations and limited SDT under the more harmful overfished subsidy pillar.

In 2022, WTO members signed an agreement that banned subsidies for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, as well as subsidies for overfished stocks and fishing in unregulated high seas. However, the current negotiations on OCOF subsidies may have a greater impact on small fishers.

Earlier this week, the chair of the fisheries subsidies negotiations distributed a draft text on reducing subsidies to fishing or fishing-related activities that contribute to overcapacity or overfishing (OCOF).

 “It is important for India, with over 9 million fishing families to gain workable exemptions for its small-scale fishers as these limits would apply on several subsidy programs given by the government,” a source informed stated.

Subsidies identified for prohibition include those for vessel construction, acquisition, and modernization, the purchase of fishing gear and related machinery, fuel, ice, or bait, insurance and income support during seasonal closures.

In its submission to the WTO’s Negotiating Group on Rules, India noted that, while the chair’s text removed geographical limits for SDT for small-scale fishers, it still includes strict conditions and stringent notification requirements.

Furthermore, there are a “host of unclear and irrational conditionalities” in relation to the definition of small-scale and artisanal fishing or fishing-related activities that are primarily low-income, resource-poor, or providing livelihood in nature. “This has the effect of limiting the policy space of countries that are developing to determine SSF based on local contexts and realities,” the report stated.

A 2019 study estimates that global fishing subsidies total $35.4 billion. China, the EU, the United States, South Korea, and Japan are among the largest subsidizers. India’s subsidies are relatively small, with an annual cost of less than $15 per fisherman.

About the author

AgriNews

Agri News India’s ultimate agricultural news portal is dedicated to providing the farming fraternity with the latest Agri and related sector news. We believe that the power of information can transform the farming sector.

Add Comment

Click here to post a comment

Knowledge Share

Agri Academy

Agri Mock test, MCQ Agri-Economics, for UPSC/UGC NET/ASRB NET/NABARD/SRF/JRF/KSET/SO/ Competitive Exams