Agricultural dimension of the ACP-EU economic partnership agreements
FAO Commodities and Trade technical paper Series, Vol. 8

The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries are facing several major sets of closely interlinked forces that are likely to have significant impacts on the development of their agriculture (including fisheries) sectors and their food security situations. The possible conclusion and outcome of both the negotiations for Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) under the Cotonou Agreement (with the European Union [EU]) and the World Trade Organization negotiations pose serious concerns on the future of their agricultural trade and development. This study provides an introduction to some of the most critical aspects of the agriculture and fisheries negotiations including feasible approaches and options for the ACP to ensure that their agricultural and fisheries sectors reap maximum and sustained benefits with a view towards enhancing their food security situation.