EU Farm Reform Unlikely to Benefit Poor Countries

Alistar7

Lifer
May 13, 2002
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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.


 

Moonbeam

Elite Member
Nov 24, 1999
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It's really great, I think, that Corporate Colossal Agribusiness has pretty much destroyed the family farm. A look at who voted for Bush shows that the backward country bumpkin is the source of his support. When the internationalists get finished wiping out the small farmer and he's moved to the city, maybe Motel Six will rent farm like rooms to nostalgic democratic city folk descendents of these Republican stooges. I got so mad at liberal Hollywood I bought the farm, I mean I sold it to Monsanto. When we succeed in making the earth a corporate world it will die. Lunatics of the world unite in mass suicide. God I hate the French, they have such a fine lifestyle. All that wonderful small farm food.....
 

308nato

Platinum Member
Feb 10, 2002
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Originally posted by: Moonbeam
It's really great, I think, that Corporate Colossal Agribusiness has pretty much destroyed the family farm. A look at who voted for Bush shows that the backward country bumpkin is the source of his support. When the internationalists get finished wiping out the small farmer and he's moved to the city, maybe Motel Six will rent farm like rooms to nostalgic democratic city folk descendents of these Republican stooges. I got so mad at liberal Hollywood I bought the farm, I mean I sold it to Monsanto. When we succeed in making the earth a corporate world it will die. Lunatics of the world unite in mass suicide. God I hate the French, they have such a fine lifestyle. All that wonderful small farm food.....


Backward country bumpkin.......????? Heh, I know, because you city folk can pee into each others windows from your own houses you are so much more enlightened.

You know a lot about the country and farming it seems, did you learn it from a book with pictures of cows and everything ?



 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,479
6,023
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Yes, the EU's reforms will not help the Third World farmer and as such the program of subsidy should be eliminated. However, Alistar, you may interested to know that what the EU did was to copy the US program of Agricultural Subsidy. So what we have is the US and the EU screwing the Third World farmer(as well as others) .

The problem here is one of Definition. Both the US and EU(prior to "Reform") used to "Subsidize" according to what was defined as "Subsidy" by the WTO. In response to this, first the US and now the EU changed "How" they subsidize in order not to contravene the written definition of "Subsidy". The end result is the same, that being the protection of the Agricultural Industry from Market conditions and the encouragement of Over-Production.
 

308nato

Platinum Member
Feb 10, 2002
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Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Ask CaptnKirk, I got a lot of experience with sheep.

No self respecting farmer has sheep. We have cows because cowsh!t smells like money.

 

Hayabusa Rider

Admin Emeritus & Elite Member
Jan 26, 2000
50,879
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Originally posted by: 308nato
Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Ask CaptnKirk, I got a lot of experience with sheep.

No self respecting farmer has sheep. We have cows because cowsh!t smells like money.

Well son, in VT, we had more cows than people! You could smell "money" everywhere :D
 

308nato

Platinum Member
Feb 10, 2002
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Originally posted by: HayabusariderWell son, in VT, we had more cows than people! You could smell "money" everywhere :D


I had my 8 year old with me on the 4 wheeler checking the herd tis morning. I taught him the art of "burnout in the freshest pies". His ma was upset because he had "money" in his hair. hee hee
:)
 

Moonbeam

Elite Member
Nov 24, 1999
73,775
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I just pray us advances humans out here on the left will be able to save your Neanderthal's way of life. Your Republican corporate cohort will sell it for a buck. But your kids will be so much happier, though, working in a store. They'll never have to worry if it's gonna rain. The grass is so much cheaper in Argentina not to buy South American beef is really just insane.
 

LunarRay

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2003
9,993
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Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Ask CaptnKirk, I got a lot of experience with sheep.

I saw a cow once and a sheep... couldn't tell which was what but I saw em. There ain't alot of pastue in NYC but, I saw really did see em... once. The owner was a Rancher and said Farmers raise corn and squash.. Real men raise heck and Cattle.