WTO agriculture chief puts in his papers

Stuart Harbinson, the controversial chairman of the World Trade Organisation's committee on agriculture, has decided to give up his post.

Harbinson had prepared the first draft for setting the terms of negotiations on agriculture, which was summarily rejected by all members.

His draft also came in for sharp criticism from developing countries, which viewed him as supporting the stand of the developed world.

In February 2002, the former permanent representative of Hong Kong to the WTO, was chosen to chair the committee on agriculture and was subsequently selected as WTO Director General Supachai Panitchpakdi's chief of staff.

"Chairing the agriculture negotiations has been extremely challenging and rewarding. In practice it has been possible to combine the chairmanship with my other duties. However, we are now entering a new phase in agriculture negotiations and I think a new chairperson might be able to bring the fresh perspective that we need now. I believe I did what I had to do as chairman over the past 18 months given the mandate issued by ministers at the 2001 Doha Ministerial Conference. I have no regrets but it is time for someone else to take up the banner," Harbinson said in a statement.

He would continue till a new chairman for the committee on agriculture was selected.