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Fisheries subsidy negotiations in the WTO have been hamstrung for so long, that any indication of movement must be a good thing. However, although there may be some movement, there would still seem to be a high degree of polarity around the issues between those who have already benefited from subsidies (i.e. the industrialised countries), and those who would like to benefit from subsidies. In this regard, any new movement in the WTO must be accompanied by a shift to centre stage of special and differential treatment (S&DT) and exemptions for the LDCs. In this context, ACP countries would need to make sure that they have the policy space that would allow them to support the sustainable development of their fisheries sector. Distant-water fishing nations should ensure that their fleets are not competing with, and undermining, such development.
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