‘At WTO meet, put farmers first’

Lok Sabha members cutting across party lines asked the government to protect the interests of Indian farmers at the forthcoming WTO ministerial at Hong Kong and sought rationalisation of farm subsidies by the EU and the United States.

CPI’s Prabodh Panda, stating that agriculture was the core issue from India’s point of view, demanded a white paper on government’s stand. Madhusudan Mistry (Cong) said India should be careful while lowering tariffs. Rupchand Pal (CPM) said efforts should be made to see that developed nations reduce domestic and export subsidies.

The BJP demanded a “catgorical” assurance from the upa that it would not succumb to pressure from the developed countries.