PHL to align agri-fisheries policy with WTO pact

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said the Philippines is moving to align its fisheries policies with a global agreement curbing harmful subsidies in the wake of the 14^th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC14).

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said one of the key developments at MC14, held in Cameroon in March, was the delivery of an outcome document for the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement.

The Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, adopted at the 2022 Ministerial Conference in Geneva and enforced in September, is a multilateral pact aimed at protecting global fisheries sustainability by prohibiting subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

“One of the most notable achievements for us was the delivery of an outcome document on fisheries subsidies. This not only advances sustainability objectives but also demonstrates that multilateral negotiations can deliver meaningful results when there is political will and effective leadership,” Mr. Laurel was quoted in a statement on Sunday.

The DA said the conference also advanced discussion on fisheries rules and supported the implementation of the agreement, including measures to help smaller economies.

Mr. Laurel said the government’s focus is now on translating these developments into domestic policy, including aligning programs and agency coordination.

“The responsibility now lies with us to translate these developments into coherent national positions, sustained engagement in Geneva, and effective coordination across our institutions,” he said. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel