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guy44 · 12-02-2004, 12:39 PM

Um, Superbelt, perhaps feeding the impoverished is a good idea. I don't know, maybe it is just me, but letting millions starve is pretty fucking cold hearted and, in a very abstract sense, evil. If the best solution we have to world population increases is, well, screw the fuckers and let em die, I think we as the human race will have failed miserably.

Additionally, ag subsidies aren't the only thing that have to go. Export subsidies, mostly in Europe, are just as damaging to LDC (Least Developed Countries) agricultural growth.

Also, de facto American export subsidies through food aid and foreign food credits is quite harmful. Lowering European export subsidies and American ag subsidies would have a major effect on this, in the following manner:

1. American taxpayers pay millions in domestic agricultural subsidies
2. In part as a result of this, the U.S. has massive ag product surplus, much of which gets dumped on the open market at very low prices
3. Developing, agriculture-dependant countries cannot compete with American (and European) dumped food on the world market
4. America, Canada, and Europe pay millions upon millions in aid to these countries, who as a result of being unable to sell their product, have very high unemployment and poor real wages
5. So, American taxpayers are paying twice: first for the domestic subsidies, and later for the foreign aid
6. A successful Doha round of negotiations, if it could bring about actually significant reductions in American ag subsidies and European export subsidies, and there aren't too many exceptions, "sensitive products," as the lingo goes, could really level the playing field and reduce the need for North-to-South financial and food aid

It would be in world interest, therefore, to have a successful conclusion to the Doha negotiations, and a resultant decrease in American ag subsidies and European export subsidies.

Some reference:

Economic Implications of Trade Liberalization Under The Doha Round

Global Agricultural Trade and the Doha Round: What Are the Implications for North and South?

12-02-2004, 12:39 PM	#31 (permalink)
guy44 Somnabulist Location: corner of No and Where	Um, Superbelt, perhaps feeding the impoverished is a good idea. I don't know, maybe it is just me, but letting millions starve is pretty fucking cold hearted and, in a very abstract sense, evil. If the best solution we have to world population increases is, well, screw the fuckers and let em die, I think we as the human race will have failed miserably. Additionally, ag subsidies aren't the only thing that have to go. Export subsidies, mostly in Europe, are just as damaging to LDC (Least Developed Countries) agricultural growth. Also, de facto American export subsidies through food aid and foreign food credits is quite harmful. Lowering European export subsidies and American ag subsidies would have a major effect on this, in the following manner: 1. American taxpayers pay millions in domestic agricultural subsidies 2. In part as a result of this, the U.S. has massive ag product surplus, much of which gets dumped on the open market at very low prices 3. Developing, agriculture-dependant countries cannot compete with American (and European) dumped food on the world market 4. America, Canada, and Europe pay millions upon millions in aid to these countries, who as a result of being unable to sell their product, have very high unemployment and poor real wages 5. So, American taxpayers are paying twice: first for the domestic subsidies, and later for the foreign aid 6. A successful Doha round of negotiations, if it could bring about actually significant reductions in American ag subsidies and European export subsidies, and there aren't too many exceptions, "sensitive products," as the lingo goes, could really level the playing field and reduce the need for North-to-South financial and food aid It would be in world interest, therefore, to have a successful conclusion to the Doha negotiations, and a resultant decrease in American ag subsidies and European export subsidies. Some reference: Economic Implications of Trade Liberalization Under The Doha Round Global Agricultural Trade and the Doha Round: What Are the Implications for North and South? __________________ "You have reached Ritual Sacrifice. For goats press one, or say 'goats.'"