A/HRC/33/40 Annex III Questionnaire of the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order on the impact of WTO agreements, rules and practice on human rights, particularly food security Brief responses are welcome (e.g. in bullet points) and are not required for all questions. This questionnaire is addressed to member and observer States of the World Trade Organization (WTO), inter-governmental organizations and civil society organizations. The identity of civil society organizations, should they so wish, will remain confidential (only the country where they operate may be disclosed). Priorities of the WTO 1. Some countries, particularly developed countries, are proposing to introduce “new issues” into the WTO agenda, including investment, competition policy, government procurement and e-commerce, along the lines that have been shaped in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) or which are shaping up in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). There is, however, a pending agenda to be addressed — including issues of agriculture reform (e.g. removal of developed country subsidies e.g. cotton), the strengthening of Special and Differential Treatment flexibilities for developing countries to have more policy space for industrialization etc. What should be the WTO’s priorities and why? 2. What measures, if any, are envisaged or have been adopted to mainstream human rights into all WTO activities, including guidelines for WTO dispute settlement panels? How can WTO ensure that the human rights treaty obligations of WTO member States are not compromised by WTO rules and that the human rights treaty regime is always taken into account when elaborating, negotiating, adopting or implementing WTO policy, agreements and rules. Impact Assessments and other measures 3. Please provide examples of how measures, such as opinion polling, consultation of all stakeholders, human rights, health and environmental impact assessments have been used prior to the adoption of past WTO rules and recommendations, and how these mechanisms may be effectively employed in current negotiations. 4. The Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Olivier de Schutter, proposed that the WTO Secretariat should, “Maintain and deepen the existing constructive dialogue with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Encourage WTO members to conduct human rights impact assessments prior to the conclusion of trade agreements or to accepting new schedules of commitments”. To what extent have his recommendations been implemented?a a 26 http://ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpage_e.aspx?si=A/HRC/10/5/Add.2. GE.16-11938