The Cabinet has cleared ex-post facto the stand taken by India on food security at the last meeting of the World Trade Organisation held in Nairobi.

Cabinet has given ex-post facto approval for the approach adopted by India at Nairobi WTO meeting. The outcomes of the Conference, referred to ‘Nairobi Package’ include ministerial Decisions on agriculture, cotton. The Tenth WTO Ministerial Conference concluded in Nairobi in December 2015. India wants a permanent solution on the issue of public stock holding for its food security programme.

It had proposed either amending the formula to calculate the food subsidy cap of 10 per cent, which is based on the reference price of 1986-88, or allowing such schemes outside the purview of subsidy caps.

The food security issue is related to several developing nations which provide subsidised food grains to the poor.

 Did You Know??? 

• The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an intergovernmental organization which regulates international trade.
• The WTO officially commenced on 1 January 1995 under the Marrakesh Agreement, signed by 123 nations on 15 April 1994, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which commenced in 1948.
• The WTO’s current Director-General is Roberto Azevêdo.

• Adopt means choose to take up or follow.
• Subsidy means financial aid (such as a cash grant or soft loan) provided by a government.
• Amend means make minor changes.