New Zealand seeks an ambitious and effective prohibition on fisheries subsidies from the 11th World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference in December 2017. To this end New Zealand has submitted a Proposal on disciplining fisheries subsidies, for Ministerial consideration.
The proposal seeks an outcome that implements all elements of Sustainable Development Goal Target 14.6. Existing fisheries instruments, institutions and processes are also drawn on and supported in the drafting and implementation of the proposed disciplines.
The fundamental need and obligation for States to cooperate in the management of fisheries resources underpins the approach. The proposed disciplines also avoid duplicating existing obligations, provide for future developments and guard against the World Trade Organisation playing a fisheries management role.
Based on this, the proposal contains the following elements: a) definitions, b) Effective prohibitions; c) Appropriate and special and differential treatment; d) Transitional arrangements; e) Standstill provision; f) Anti-circumvention; and g) Transparency, monitoring and review provisions. The outcome should be legally binding and subject to World Trade Organisation dispute settlement.