Major states refine farm support

GENEVA – Major countries have been working intensively on refining their position on farm support with some negotiators seeing signs of progress in global trade talks, officials said yesterday.

The United States, the European Union, Australia, Brazil and India met late into the evening on Tuesday and were resuming yesterday spokesmen said. Some leading countries, however, hinted that they still are prepared to walk away from the negotiations if they do not get their way over agriculture.EU trade chief Pascal Lamy told a European Parliament committee yesterday morning that the discussion centered on agriculture.He said a draft text before negotiators showed promise.Developing countries say the draft framework for the treaty does too little to force rich nations to cut their import tariffs and subsidies.-Nampa-APSome leading countries, however, hinted that they still are prepared to walk away from the negotiations if they do not get their way over agriculture.EU trade chief Pascal Lamy told a European Parliament committee yesterday morning that the discussion centered on agriculture.He said a draft text before negotiators showed promise.Developing countries say the draft framework for the treaty does too little to force rich nations to cut their import tariffs and subsidies.-Nampa-AP