Negotiators reconvened at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Thursday to address the remaining challenges in reaching an agreement on agriculture, which is seen as crucial for finalizing a deal in the Doha free trade round. The dynamics of the negotiations have shifted significantly since the round began in 2001, with a focus on eliminating rich-country farming subsidies and tariffs that disadvantaged poor farmers. The recent decrease in food prices has reduced the pressure on governments to provide subsidies to farmers, leading some countries to reduce import tariffs instead. Additionally, protectionist tendencies in wealthy nations are complicating efforts to reach a comprehensive agreement among the WTO's 151 member states. The talks, facilitated by New Zealand's WTO ambassador Crawford Falconer, will concentrate on technical issues like the treatment of sensitive products that countries wish to protect from tariff reductions. Diplomats explained that major decisions regarding the size of cuts to farm subsidies and tariffs will be left to senior politicians at the end of the negotiation round. One negotiator from a wealthy country stated that this is the responsibility of ministers, but the groundwork will be set by the diplomats. Agriculture is crucial to the Doha process as it is vital for developing countries, who are expected to benefit the most from the round. Developing nations are requesting that wealthier countries reduce farm tariffs and subsidies in return for them opening up their markets to industrial goods and services. A key issue still up for debate in the Geneva talks is the handling of "special products" in agriculture. While it has been agreed that developing countries can exclude certain farm products from tariff reductions, there is still disagreement on how these products will be treated and how many can be designated. The G-33, a group of 45 developing countries, insists that any agreement should allow them to fully exempt certain products from tariff cuts. However, some developing countries that export food, such as Brazil, Argentina, and Thailand, are siding with wealthy nations in opposition to this proposal. Falconer is optimistic that the discussions happening this week and next will help to close the differences enough for him to create a revised version of the negotiating document he originally prepared in July. The talks, involving 36 important delegations, will address various aspects of agriculture negotiations, beginning this week with domestic support issues. The following week will focus on market access, particularly tariffs, and will conclude with discussions on export competition, including food aid, export credits, and the sensitive issue of cotton. Falconer is scheduled to update all members of the WTO on the progress of the talks next Friday. Before the holidays, Falconer distributed documents summarizing the discussions from the past four months. They established a timeline for wealthy nations to reduce subsidies and suggested that new members of the WTO be exempt from these reductions.