Q11 · UPSC Prelims 2016 · Set A · Economy

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

A WTO affairs
B SAARC affairs
C UNFCCC affairs
D India-EU negotiations on FTA

Correct answer: (a) WTO affairs

Explanation

  1. A

    WTO affairs

    WTO affairs. Amber, blue and green boxes are the Agreement on Agriculture’s colours for domestic support: trade-distorting (amber), production-limiting (blue) and minimally distorting (green). That stored letter is the official key.

  2. B

    SAARC affairs

    SAARC affairs. The South Asian grouping does not use amber/blue/green box jargon for farm subsidies. This letter is not the key.

  3. C

    UNFCCC affairs

    UNFCCC affairs. Climate talks use annexes, NDCs and mechanisms, not these boxes. This letter is not the key.

  4. D

    India-EU negotiations on FTA

    India–EU FTA talks. Those negotiations may discuss agriculture, but the box vocabulary is WTO AoA, not a bilateral FTA brand. This letter is not the key.

Summary. Official key is (a) WTO affairs. The three boxes classify domestic farm support under the Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture. They are not SAARC, UNFCCC or India–EU FTA labels. Honour the stored letter (a).