Duties on these products will be gradually reduced until duty-free access is granted (for sugar in July 2009, and for rice in September 2009). Original restrictions included bananas, which have been liberalized since 1 January 2006. These may include supply-side constraints, rules of origin restrictions, non-tariff barriers—such as complying with product standards, sanitary measures and eco-labeling—and subsidies in developed countries.4 This notwithstanding, the importance of LDC preferential access will tend to dissipate gradually as tariffs decline, with the general trend moving towards freer trade and a resulting erosion of trade preferences. Such special provisions fall into five main categories: (a) increased market access, (b) safeguarding of the interests of LDCs, (c) increased flexibility for LDCs in rules and disciplines governing trade measures, (d) extension of longer transitional periods to LDCs, and (e) provision of technical assistance (see annex III for a list of specific WTO decisions in favour of LDCs).