18th March 2008
Special Products and the Special Safeguard Mechanism
On 1 August 2004, WTO Members agreed on a framework in agriculture which will constitute the basis for the negotiations of full modalities in the next phase of the negotiations (WTO, 2004).
Paragraph 41 of the framework states that: “Developing countries will have the flexibility to designate an appropriate number of products as Special Products, based on criteria of food security, livelihood security and rural development needs.” The text also indicates that the criteria and treatment of special products will be further specified.
In addition, paragraph 42 states that a Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM) will be established for use by developing countries, the details of which will be developed in the next phase of the negotiations.
No guidance is provided in the framework paper on the criteria for selecting SPs or products to be subject to the SSM. However, in the course of future negotiations, it is inevitable that parameters will be set within which developing countries can select products that will be subject to the Special Product (SP) and SSM modalities.
The purpose of this discussion paper is to provide inputs and raise ideas on a set of criteria within which developing countries might select SPs, building on the criteria of food and livelihood security and rural development identified in Annex A of the July package agreed in the WTO. In addition, the paper is also intended to contribute to discussions on identifying criteria for the selection of products to be covered by the SSM.
Oxford