World Trade Organisation names chairman of agriculture talks

THE World Trade Organisation (WTO) has announced the appointment of New Zealand Ambassador Dr David Walker as chairman of the pivotal negotiations on agriculture.

Last year, the talks floundered to the relief of Irish farmers and the agri-food industry which claimed the proposals would have decimated their sectors.

Dr Walker replaces fellow New Zealander Crawford Falconer, who has returned to Wellington to become a deputy secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.