The GATT 1947 initially applied to agriculture, but was incomplete, and the signatory States (or « Contracting Parties ») excluded this sector from the scope of the principles set out in the General Agreement. During the period 1947-1994, members were allowed to benefit from export subsidies on primary agricultural products and, under certain conditions, to impose import restrictions, so that major agricultural raw materials faced trade barriers to an unusual extent in other product sectors. The road to a fair and market-oriented agricultural trade system has therefore been difficult and long; and the negotiations were finally concluded during the Uruguay Round. Agriculture has been established in the WTO trade agreements and agreements (signed in 1994 and the 1st Special Status since the sector has a specific agreement, the Agreement on Agriculture, whose provisions are given priority. The deal has been criticized by civil society groups for reducing tariff protection for smallholder farmers, an important source of income in developing countries, while allowing rich countries to continue subsidizing domestic agriculture. the obligation to honour specific binding commitments in each of the following areas: market access; domestic aid; export competition; and to reach agreement on sanitary and phytosanitary issues; WTO members have taken steps to reform the agricultural sector and tackle high subsidies and trade barriers that distort agricultural trade. . . .