Domestic Support Rules Of The Wto Agricultural Trade Research

The agricultural domestic support is a focus in the negotiation of WTO on agricultural trade. At the end of the Uruguay Round achieved the Agreement on Agriculture after all members negotiated for many times. The Agreement on Agn'culture shapes up the WTO rules of trade in agricultural products. As an important part of the rules of trade in agricultural products, the domestic support rules play an important role in regulating the agriculture. These rules bind the agricultural policy of all members. And they will be good to realizing the liberalization of agricultural trade. The rules are embodied in the related clauses of Agreement on Agn'culture and the commitments made by all members to reduce domestic support. They are characteristic of non-prohibitive, binding, exceptional and discriminatory. The new negotiation of agricultural trade will develop and improve the WTO rules of domestic support.Actually, the rules of domestic support are principles or basic criterions which regulating and binding the domestic support policy of all members. The rules achieve specific provisions on domestic support measures in the respect of standard, classification, method of calculation, numerical value, range and time, etc. The rules classify these domestic support measures according to whether they will lead to trade distort. The domestic support measures are classified as "Amber Box", "Green Box", "Blue Box", De minimis, special and differential treatment. As for the calculation of Amber Box, the regulations prescribe that use the AMS (Aggregate Measurement of Support) as the standard, then achieve the total AMS and reduce. Any sopport which would not distort trade, or at most cause minimal distortion is placed in "Green Box". Any support which requires farmers to limit production is placed in "Blue Box".We must understand the rules of domestic support from the practical respect of observing and implementing the rules. So we analyze the implementation of the rules in the main countries. In generally, the rules are more or less implemented. But there are some factors influence the efficiency of implementation. There are some problems in the rules and their implementation. For example, the rules are too tolerant and the binding force is too weak. And the adjustment of the domesticsupport policy among the members is not harmonious. The developing countries could not gain material benefit.After entering into WTO, Chinese agriculture must grasp the opportunities and meet the challenges. In the respect of domestic support, we must pay more attention to the research of WTO rules of agricultural domestic support. From the present situation of our agricultural support, we can see that our domestic support is below the normal standard And we do not make fall use of the WTO rules of domestic support. According to our pertinent commitments, we have plenty of room for carrying out our domestic support. Under such situation, what counts is that we must make full use of the rules of domestic support. Meanwhile we must adopt the reasonable and effective domestic support measures, and adjust the structure of every "Box" and the level of support. Aiming at the above problems, we propose the legal countermeasure. The general train of thought is strengthening the force of the agricultural domestic support within the limits permitted by the national conditions. Additionally, we propose the tactics of taking part in the new negotiations. In the new round of negotiation, we must unite the other developing countries to maintain our common interests.Hie article is divided into four parts:Part one is the summary account of the rules of domestic support. At first, we define the rules. It points out that the rules are principles or basic criterions which regulating and binding the domestic support policy of all members. Meanwhile summarize the characters of the rules. Secondly, we analyze the system and discuss the function of the rules. At last, we draw the outline of the shaping and developing process of the pertinent rules.Part two is the interpretation of the rules of domestic support. It is very important to interpret the clauses of the rules because they have leading function. At first, we interpret the "Amber Box" which must be reduced. Secondly, we interpret the "Green Box", "Blue Box", De minirnis, special and differential treatment policy which exemption from reduction. At last, we interpret the other rules of domestic support that is the peace clause and the notice responsibility.Part three is the implementation and existence of the rules of domestic support. In some extent, the implementation is more important than the rule itself.So we research the situation of implementing the rules, and propose the existing problems. We can make better use of the rules by doing this research.Part four is China and the rules of domestic support. At first, we analyze Chinese commitments in domestic support. Secondly, we must make full use of the rules of domestic support. And we must establish a set of systems of Chinese agricultural support conformity to WTO rules. At last, we propose the tactics of taking part in the new negotiations.