GATT 1994 and the agreement on agriculture on global food security: rethinking export restrictions and supply chains resilience

Qazi Zada, Mohd Ziaolhaq and Qazi Zada, Sebghatullah and Nasrullah, Nasrullah and Alzahrani, Somih Talal and Ahmad, Muhamad Hassan (2026) GATT 1994 and the agreement on agriculture on global food security: rethinking export restrictions and supply chains resilience. LEGALITY: JURNAL ILMIAH HUKUM, 34 (2). pp. 671-692. ISSN 0854-6509 E-ISSN 2549-4600

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Abstract

Global food security relies heavily on resilient, efficient supply chains to facilitate cross-border agricultural trade. However, export restrictions and prohibitions implemented by World Trade Organization (WTO) Members to safeguard domestic supplies frequently disrupt global markets, disproportionately harming net food-importing nations. This article examines the extent to which WTO law, specifically the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 and the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA), impacts global food security and supply chain resilience. This article employs doctrinal legal analysis to examine GATT Article XI and Article 12 of the AoA. The findings reveal that GATT Article XI:2(a) affords excessive policy discretion; key legal thresholds such as "essential products" and "critical shortages" lack precise definitions, and the provision fails to impose clear time limits on restrictive measures. Furthermore, Article 12 of the AoA provides limited discipline because notification, consultation, and food-security considerations lack effective enforcement mechanisms. This regulatory flexibility increases uncertainty in international markets and vulnerability among food-importing countries. The article therefore proposes reforms introducing clearer criteria, transparency obligations, proportionality requirements, and duration limits for export measures. Balancing necessary domestic policy space during genuine crises with tighter multilateral disciplines will reinforce supply chain resilience and solidify the role of international agricultural trade in safeguarding global food security.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Food Security; Supply Chains; GATT; The Agreement on Agriculture (AoA); WTO
Subjects:	K Law > K1001 Commercial Law K Law > KZ Law of Nations
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws > Department of Civil Law
Depositing User:	Dr. Muhamad Hassan Ahmad
Date Deposited:	10 Oct 2026 09:43
Last Update:	10 Oct 2026 09:43
Queue Number:	2026-10-Q5508
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/131802
Indexed In:	Google Scholar

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