ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at agricultural talks in the context of the continuing process of farm policy reform. The overall objective of the current round of agricultural talks is clearly to continue the progress made at the Uruguay Round. Market access improvements reduce the scope for domestic policy. Market access can also be improved by expanding the guaranteed market access (TRQs) that forms a part of the provisions of the Agreement on Agriculture. TRQs for agricultural imports have created a new wave of governmental interference with trade through licensing procedures and provided a playground for rent-seeking traders - who will in turn have an incentive to lobby for the continuation of the high above-quota tariffs. The concept of multifunctionality is not in itself particularly novel, as agriculture has always played a complex role in rural societies, and rural areas have a vital place in national social and political life.
