Brasilia - The ministerial level meeting of the developing nation group known as the G-20 begins today. The group was formed at the World Trade Organization meeting in Cancun in order to achieve more balanced negotiations on agricultural issues. The block consists of developing nations that are active in farm produce exports and includes some of the world's largest countries, such as China, India and, of course, Brazil. It also has 55% of the world's population and is responsible for some 70% of all the world's farm produce. The nations present at the meeting are: South Africa, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, China, Cuba, Egypt, Philippines, Índia, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Paquistan, Paraguay, Thailand, Tanzania, Venezuela and Zimbabwe. Ecuador is present as an observer.

The G-20 has insisted on substantial reductions in farm subsidies in the United States and European Union which are presently running at around US$1 billion per day.

The group also wants an end to direct incentives in rich countries for exports, because such incentives distort world markets. Finally, the G-20 calls for market access with reductions of tariffs. surtaxes and quotas on imports in rich countries. (AB)