Washington, DC – Congressman Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) released the following statement regarding comments made by the European Union’s Trade Minister Peter Mandelson that the EU wants to single out cotton during negotiations at the Doha Round of WTO negotiations. 

   ”The European Union’s decision to change its policy mid-stream in this round of WTO negotiations is unproductive and will upend current agriculture negotiations.  Singling out commodities such as cotton for special treatment and advance agreement only impairs the overall progress of the agriculture talks. 

   “The United States has been fully engaged in the Doha round in addressing market access, export subsidies, and domestic support issues for all of agriculture, including cotton.  However, singling out cotton in the agriculture talks for early commitment fails to address issues facing African farmers and the other complex factors impacting world cotton trade.  The WTO already has a cotton subcommittee looking at all of these topics.”

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