Negotiators reconvened at the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Thursday to address the remaining challenges in reaching an agreement in agriculture, which is seen as essential in finalizing the Doha free trade round. The landscape of the negotiations has shifted significantly since the round began in 2001, with a focus on eliminating rich-country farming subsidies and tariffs that disadvantaged poor farmers. Changes in food prices have reduced pressure on governments to provide subsidies, leading some to lower import tariffs. Additionally, rising protectionism in wealthy nations is hindering the ability of the WTO's 151 member states to reach a comprehensive agreement. The talks, initiated by New Zealand's WTO ambassador Crawford Falconer, will concentrate on technical issues like how to identify and handle sensitive products that countries wish to protect from tariff reductions. Diplomats have stated that senior politicians will ultimately decide on the major headline numbers, such as the extent of cuts to farm subsidies and tariffs, towards the end of the round of negotiations. One negotiator from a wealthy country mentioned that this is considered ministerial work, and their role is to prepare the groundwork for the ministers to finalize the details. Agriculture holds significant importance in the Doha process, particularly for developing countries who are expected to benefit greatly from the round. Developing countries are calling for wealthy nations to reduce farm tariffs and subsidies in return for opening their markets to industrial goods and services. An unresolved issue in the Geneva talks is the treatment of "special products" in agriculture. While WTO members have agreed that developing countries can exclude certain farm products from tariff reductions, there is still disagreement on how these products will be handled and how many can be exempted. The G-33, a group of 45 developing countries, insists that any agreement must allow for complete exemption of certain special products from tariff cuts. However, developing food exporters like Brazil, Argentina, and Thailand are aligning with wealthy nations in opposing this stance. Falconer is optimistic that the discussions taking place this week and next will help to close the gaps enough for him to create a revised version of the negotiating document he originally made in July. The talks, involving thirty-six important delegations, will focus on various aspects of agriculture negotiations. This week will concentrate on domestic support and subsidies, while next week will address market access and tariffs, and conclude with export competition, including food aid, export credits, and the sensitive issue of cotton. Falconer will update all members of the WTO on the progress of the talks next Friday. Recently, Falconer distributed documents summarizing the previous four months of discussions just before the holiday season. They established a timeline for wealthy nations to reduce subsidies and suggested that new members of the WTO be exempt from these reductions.