state trading enterprises their role as importers f or many countries the creation of a central agency enterprise ste to handle domestic procurement and plan import needs is perceived essential achievement government policies such assurance abun dant low cost food supplies stable farm prices most discus sions s involve export marketing boards eg canadian wheat board that stabilize support by encouraging trade expansion but can control restrict are important well often have considerable power access markets in addition periods bountiful these may also agricultural commodities under agreement on agriculture uruguay round multilateral negotiations completed 1994 participating agreed increase convert ing quotas other quantitative restrictions tariffs subsequently reducing over several years recognizing importance controlling explicitly prohibits from reverting non tariff including measures maintained