WTO needs to regain the ability to deal with pressing trade issues.Ottawa-Canadian farm leaders travelled to Geneva in mid-June to support an international push for reforms at the World Trade Organization to ensure an effective rules-based global trading system.The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) sent a delegation to the WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12), which has been rescheduled twice and will be the first meeting of WTO Trade Ministers since the pandemic began, said Claire Citeau, CAFTA's executive director.“There is a pressing need for a breakthrough in WTO farm trade talks,” she said. “The current context of record food prices and increasing food insecurity has given new urgency to the role of trade in addressing the challenges we face today. Since 1994, world exports of agricultural products have tripled and food systems around the world have evolved significantly. But WTO rules have not kept pace with 21st century commerce, and urgent action is required.”The CAFTA's delegation included Greg Northey, CAFTA Vice President and Pulse Canada Vice President, Fawn Jackson, Director of Policy and International Affairs with the Canadian Cattlemen's Association and Bob Lowe, Past President of the CCA.They will be joined by agrifood groups from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, New Zealand, South Africa and the U.S. In a joint statement, the groups said, “With record food prices and ever-increasing food insecurity, it would be unimaginable for the WTO to fail to deliver a substantial outcome on agriculture at the conference.“Trade plays a central role in addressing food insecurity, including improving availability and access to food, helping to meet demand for more diverse and nutritious food, and improving the predictability and stability of global food markets for producers and consumers,” the statement said.“That is why commitments to keep international borders open to agrifood help maintain the stability of a network of sectors that need to remain robust and resilient both for the workers they employ and for the people they feed around the world.”Agrifood exporters want to see an end to the impasse holding up the WTO's dispute resolution function, reform of trade-distorting subsidies, improved transparency, winding down of export restrictions and assurance the WTO puts science at the forefront of trade policy rule making.CAFTA members are also seeking commitments on a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Declaration (SPS) and a credible work plan to advance agriculture negotiations. CAFTA said its members will be actively participating in discussions and engaging with Canadian and international officials with the goal of making substantial and ambitious progress in agricultural reform. “It is time for all WTO members to get serious about agriculture, as an ongoing lack of focus is hurting farmers, ranchers, and consumers worldwide.“Farmers are at the front lines of sustainability, food security and economic growth,” CAFTA said. “Support for the new SPS Declaration would be a significant first step toward reinforcing international support for transparent, science-based trade in agriculture.”Fixing the WTO's dispute settlement system will require serious multilateral negotiation to resolve issues like market access, rules, transparency, and trade-distorting agricultural subsidies, among others.“Collective reform of domestic support can address food insecurity, increase sustainability in global agriculture, and level the playing field for all farmers,” CAFTA said. “The task ahead for all WTO members is not simple but crucial, and the stakes are high.”Other groups supporting the call for reform were the Canadian Pork Council, Cereals Canada, Pulse Canada, Grain Growers of Canada, Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada, the Malting Industry Association of Canada and the Canada Grains Council.