FAO cautions LACs to prepare for negotiations.

Accra, (Greater Accra) Sept. 24, '98

The Food and Agriculture Organisation [FAO] of the United Nation Organisation [UNO], has cautioned developing countries to get prepared for 1999 millennium new round of agricultural trade negotiations. A statement from the FAO said the preparation was essential because they have less than a year to go for the negotiations. The statement said the forthcoming negotiations is particularly important for the least developed Countries and net food importing developing countries which depended on the world market for a large share of their food. It said in an effort to prepare these countries for future negotiations on agriculture, FAO in co-operation with the Agency for International Trade, Information and Co-operation (AITIC) held a workshop on September 22- 23, examining the implications the Uruguay Round has for less-advantaged countries in the field of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, it added. Addressing the participants, Mr Hartwig de Haen (ed.correct) Assistant-Director-General of FAO, said the preparation on issues related to reform process in agriculture is a necessary condition for them to become active participants in the forthcoming negotiations. He said the FAO is prepared to provide information and technical assistance for capacity building in trade related issues within its mandate. Gri