The Impact of WTO and AFTA Obligations on Philippines Agriculture

Abstract

This paper seeks to define the legal rights and obligations of WTO and AFTA Members and analyze the same according to their impact on international trade policy for the Philippine agricultural sector. It starts with the discussion of the enforceability of international treaty obligations in Philippine law. It then discusses the treaty structure of the Philippines in the area of international trade. A discussion of the basic obligations under the WTO umbrella of agreements follows. After this introductory discussion, the most important legal obligations as they relate to agriculture are identified as they appear in the following: the GATT 1994, the Agreement on Agriculture, the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, the Agreement on Safeguards, the Anti-Dumping Agreement and the Countervailing Duties and Subsidies Agreement. Following this, the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement as it impacts on agricultural exports and imports within the ASEAN is discussed. Recommendations cap the paper.