📈 EconomyUPSC 2016Fundamentals of Economy

In the context of which of the following do you sometimes find the terms ‘amber box, blue box and green box’ in the news?

aWTO affairs
bSAARC affairs
cUNFCCC affairs
dIndia-EU negotiations on FTA
✓ Correct answer: a) WTO affairs
ExplanationThe terms Amber Box, Blue Box, and Green Box are classifications used within the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to categorize different types of agricultural subsidies based on their trade-distorting ef- fects.Amber Box: This category includes subsidies that are considered to distort production and trade.Examples encompass measures such as price support schemes and subsidies directly related to production quantities.These are subject to reduction commitments under the WTO agreements.Blue Box: Subsidies in this box are also trade-distorting but are conditioned upon programs that limit production.For instance, direct payments under production-limiting programs fall into this category.Blue Box subsidies are exempt from reduction commitments.Green Box: This box contains subsidies that cause minimal or no trade distortion.They are typically government-funded and do not involve price support.Examples include research funding, environmental programs, and disaster relief payments.Green Box subsidies are permitted without limits under WTO rules.264

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