BRUSSELS, Jun 27 (IPS) - Civil society groups have rejected the European Union (news - web sites)'s agreement to reform the 45-year old common agricultural policy, saying it will harm developing countries.
The reform had aimed to eliminate trade-distorting measures so that the EU will be in a stronger position for the World Trade Organization (news - web sites) (WTO) negotiations in Cancun, Mexico in September.
So far, the EU's agriculture subsidies have been widely seen as a block to progress.
The CAP was first introduced to increase farm productivity, ensure a fair standard of living for the agricultural population and to stabilize markets.
Although spending on CAP has been reduced in recent years, it still consumes almost half the EU budget. Farm subsidies cost up to 44 billion euros (some $50 billion) a year. Poor countries say that this leaves them unable to compete in the global market as they do not have such privileges.
The link between subsidies and output is blamed for huge overproduction by the EU farm market, which has resulted in subsidized products being dumped in developing countries for less than normal market price.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) argue the European Commission (news - web sites)'s failure to secure a deal to cut the controversial link between subsidies and agricultural production (de-coupling) will harm the poor. Instead, EU farm ministers agreed to water down proposals to a partial de-coupling of the system.
Much of Africa and the developing world, say it is unfair to ask them to open their markets while the EU is protecting its own agriculture business.
Tim Rice, trade analyst for the charity ActionAid, which aims to reduce world poverty, said the latest proposals were unlikely to curb over-production in Europe.
?They allow rich countries to continue dumping agricultural produce, such as sugar and dairy, on developing countries putting poor farmers out of business,? he said.
Tsigereda Walelign, a member of the Green Party at the European Parliament and adviser on ACP-EU relations, said that the review will harm ACP (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) countries.
In her view, the Review has no positive impact on ACP for two reasons: The price for agricultural products has not been reduced because of pressure from France. The instrument of export subsidies has not been done away with.
?Discussions of reforms to cotton, where EU subsidies are already the highest in the world, and tobacco have been delayed, and sugar is not even mentioned. Lack of immediate action on these commodities so close to the WTO Cancun ministerial meeting this September flies in the face of the EU's claim to support the (Doha) development round,? he said.
Speaking for Oxfam Belgium, which campaigns against world poverty, Thierry Kesteloot told IPS that the core of the reform will be a disaster for the poor.
?It is difficult to see what poor countries will get out of the world trade talks in Cancun this September. Europe had the opportunity to take global leadership on making trade work for the poor, instead it has chosen to stick its head in the sand,? he said.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), comprising western donor nations dedicated to fostering good governance, stated that the reforms could reduce European food prices in the long term but would not offer relief to farmers in Africa and Latin America who cannot compete with Europe's subsidized exports.
France at the forefront again, at the forefront of making sure more people suffer so they can make a buck..... (yes I know Bush just got pounded for recent statements like these, notice these opinions came from the EU and international sources, and they agree)
enjoy everyone, have a good day.
The reform had aimed to eliminate trade-distorting measures so that the EU will be in a stronger position for the World Trade Organization (news - web sites) (WTO) negotiations in Cancun, Mexico in September.
So far, the EU's agriculture subsidies have been widely seen as a block to progress.
The CAP was first introduced to increase farm productivity, ensure a fair standard of living for the agricultural population and to stabilize markets.
Although spending on CAP has been reduced in recent years, it still consumes almost half the EU budget. Farm subsidies cost up to 44 billion euros (some $50 billion) a year. Poor countries say that this leaves them unable to compete in the global market as they do not have such privileges.
The link between subsidies and output is blamed for huge overproduction by the EU farm market, which has resulted in subsidized products being dumped in developing countries for less than normal market price.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) argue the European Commission (news - web sites)'s failure to secure a deal to cut the controversial link between subsidies and agricultural production (de-coupling) will harm the poor. Instead, EU farm ministers agreed to water down proposals to a partial de-coupling of the system.
Much of Africa and the developing world, say it is unfair to ask them to open their markets while the EU is protecting its own agriculture business.
Tim Rice, trade analyst for the charity ActionAid, which aims to reduce world poverty, said the latest proposals were unlikely to curb over-production in Europe.
?They allow rich countries to continue dumping agricultural produce, such as sugar and dairy, on developing countries putting poor farmers out of business,? he said.
Tsigereda Walelign, a member of the Green Party at the European Parliament and adviser on ACP-EU relations, said that the review will harm ACP (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) countries.
In her view, the Review has no positive impact on ACP for two reasons: The price for agricultural products has not been reduced because of pressure from France. The instrument of export subsidies has not been done away with.
?Discussions of reforms to cotton, where EU subsidies are already the highest in the world, and tobacco have been delayed, and sugar is not even mentioned. Lack of immediate action on these commodities so close to the WTO Cancun ministerial meeting this September flies in the face of the EU's claim to support the (Doha) development round,? he said.
Speaking for Oxfam Belgium, which campaigns against world poverty, Thierry Kesteloot told IPS that the core of the reform will be a disaster for the poor.
?It is difficult to see what poor countries will get out of the world trade talks in Cancun this September. Europe had the opportunity to take global leadership on making trade work for the poor, instead it has chosen to stick its head in the sand,? he said.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), comprising western donor nations dedicated to fostering good governance, stated that the reforms could reduce European food prices in the long term but would not offer relief to farmers in Africa and Latin America who cannot compete with Europe's subsidized exports.
France at the forefront again, at the forefront of making sure more people suffer so they can make a buck..... (yes I know Bush just got pounded for recent statements like these, notice these opinions came from the EU and international sources, and they agree)
enjoy everyone, have a good day.