Explaining the Position of Ethical Rules in the WTO Agreement on Agriculture

The Agriculture Agreement, as one of the important parts of the World Trade Organization, has an important role in accessing free markets and promoting public health, nutrition and environmental health. The present study aimed to explain the position of ethical rules in this agreement.

This qualitative study was done through document analysis and explains the approach and position of ethical rules reflected in the WTO Agreement on Agriculture.

Research activities, training, auditing, marketing services and promoting environmental programs, disease control, public storage for food security, domestic food aid, direct payments to producers, government's financial participation in the programs related to income assurance and insurance and payment for natural disasters, implies an ethical approach to the agreement. Justice, fairness and non-discrimination, honesty and non-deception, adherence to commitments, attention to public health and environmental protection are the most important ethical principles and rules in the agricultural agreement.

According to the provisions of the Covenant of Agriculture, ethical principles such as justice and fairness, as well as environmental protection, can create favorable conditions for developing countries including the country, to avoid economic isolation and ensure their economic connections in the agricultural fields and food security of the community