Farmers in developing countries depend on certain crops, which may be affected by trade liberlization, for their livelihoods. Special products (SPs) and the Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM) are in the draft WTO trade deal that will allow developing countries some flexibility in how and when their famers adjust to cuts in tariffs on products they grow.
Special products may enable developing countries to liberalise certain products more slowly, or to claim exemptions, at least over a limited period. The Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM) has the potential to enable developing countries to protect their producers from import surges and price depressions, so long as the agreed modalities for such a mechanism correspond to countries’ actual needs.
ICTSD’s research and dialogues in this area aim to generate knowledge on food security, livelihood security and rural development concerns associated with further liberalisation of agricultural trade.