WTO deal edges closer as Big Five agree
However, there was still no public indication of a major breakthrough that would enable negotiators to reach outline deals in four key areas - farm and industrial goods, services and a new customs code - before tonight's deadline.
A revised draft proposal on reviving the global trade talks was awaited last night.
It was reported that the big five had agreed on how to word all points in the hotly disputed text on agricultural reform, which is widely seen as crucial to an overall pact.
The outcome of their talks, which went on until early yesterday, was seen as likely to set the tone for proposals that the chief WTO mediators will put to the full body.
An earlier draft called for an end to farm export subsidies, substantial cuts in other forms of aid by wealthy countries to their farmers, and greater market access for both developing and developed countries.
Tim Groser, chairman of the farm negotiations, was weaving together input received from all delegations to produce a compromise text that will form part of the overall draft proposal.
Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh, who's travelling to Geneva today, said he will be seeking a balanced outcome and is absolutely determined that agriculture will not be sacrificed for an overall WTO agreement.
Having undertaken two major reforms of the CAP, he said he will not support a WTO accord which will necessitate further reform.
IFA president John Dillon, in Geneva, said a bad outcome in the talks would in the long term demolish family farming in Europe and hand over Europe's food security to ranch style production and corporations in South America.
