Removal of obstacles to trade and consumption
Article 24
1. Members recognise the importance of the sustainable development of the coffee sector and of the removal of current obstacles and avoidance of new obstacles which may hinder trade and consumption, while recognising at the same time the right of Members to regulate, and to introduce new regulations, in order to meet national health and environmental policy objectives, consistent with their commitments and obligations under international agreements, including those related to international trade. 2. Members recognise that there are at present in effect measures which may to a greater or lesser extent hinder the increase in consumption of coffee, in particular: (a) import arrangements applicable to coffee, including preferential and other tariffs, quotas, operations of government monopolies and official purchasing agencies, and other administrative rules and commercial practices; (b) export arrangements as regards direct or indirect subsidies and other administrative rules and commercial practices; and (c) internal trade conditions and domestic and regional legal and administrative provisions which may affect consumption. 3. Having regard to the objectives stated above and to the provisions of paragraph 4 of this Article, Members shall endeavour to pursue tariff reductions on coffee or to take other action to remove obstacles to increased consumption. 4. Taking into account their mutual interest, Members undertake to seek ways and means by which the obstacles to increased trade and consumption referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article may be progressively reduced and eventually, wherever possible, eliminated, or by which the effects of such obstacles may be substantially diminished. 5. Taking into account any commitments undertaken under the provisions of paragraph 4 of this Article, Members shall inform the Council annually of all measures adopted with a view to implementing the provisions of this Article. 6. The Executive Director shall prepare periodically a survey of the obstacles to consumption to be reviewed by the Council. 7. The Council may, in order to further the purposes of this Article, make recommendations to Members, which shall report as soon as possible to the Council on the measures adopted with a view to implementing such recommendations.