The Caims Group established itself as a third force in world trade negotiations during the Uruguay Round and, in doing so, changed the nature of international trade negotiations. By focusing almost exclusively on one issue, it ensured that the Uruguay Round would not reach a successful conclusion without the inclusion of agriculture. The Agreement on Agriculture had the clear stamp of the Cairns Group. Importantly, the built-in agenda for more negotiations on agriculture established the expectationthat the move to liberalise agricultural trade would continue, and provided a framework in which the future negotiations could be conducted. Article 20 of the Agreement on Agriculture specifically recognises that the long term objective of substantial progressive reductions in support and protection resulting in fundamental reform of agricultural policies is an ongoing process.
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