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The World Trade Organization (WTO) and its 142 member nations have agreed to launch a new agenda for trade negotiations aimed at expanding global markets and reducing trade barriers.

"This is an historic agreement that provides a tremendous boost for trade negotiations to further open markets and reduce trade barriers that impede the competitiveness of American farmers," said U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman. "Expanding global markets for our farmers is vital to the long-term prosperity of our highly productive agriculture and food sector."

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) welcomed the agreement. "The launch of international trade talks in the WTO is a critical step in improving the global outlook for U.S. agriculture," said AFBF President Bob Stallman. "As a result of [the]commitment to commence worldwide negotiations, we can begin to tackle the barriers to trade that block our entry into foreign markets and create unfair advantages for our competitors."