Just because the EU does it does not make it right:-
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Australian, like NZ agriculture is not subsidised. Last year drought relief (1B?)accounted for most subsidies. That is after most farmers in the country had
NO income for 10 years! Farmers also pay huge taxes on fuel, as well as GST of 10% on many other farm inputs & outputs such as freight.
Part also of last year's Australian figures was a continuing "dairy reconstruction scheme" where farmers were paid to get bigger or get out. Most got out, and now we have a
huge milk shortage and the highest prices in donkey's years. That 'brilliant' pollies scheme ends next month.
From your own link
Korean situation in 2002
- Korean farmers received over $US21 billion,
- Japanese farmers received over $US56 billion in subsidies
- European Union farmers $US113 billion."
USA?
"Farm" is such a motherhood word, and conjures up a picture of the poor family-farmer tirelessly tilling his soil for us from dawn 'til dusk. In fact Most of the money goes to the largest, and usually richest, farms, corporations and multi-nationals rather than growers who most need help.
Farm Subsidies Common Globally, Bypass Small Farms CHARLES ABBOTT / Reuters 6aug03
Quote:
The Agriculture Department forecasts that the average farm household will earn more than $89,000 in 2008, up 6.3% from 2007. That's a third higher than the average U.S. household income, which is projected to be $67,000.
Despite that, farm-bill negotiators are fighting to keep $5.2 billion in direct payments, which go to farmers regardless of how much they earn or whether they are growing a crop.
The White House wants to cut off direct payments to farmers who earn $500,000 or more. Farm-state lawmakers want to reduce payments for farmers with incomes of $950,000 or more. In California, where many farms are enormous enterprises with multiple owners, those caps would apply individually to each owner.
"It's the illusion of reform," Kind said.
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High food prices may put farmers on a subsidy diet - Los Angeles Times
On subsidies hurting poorer nations
Quote:
TRADE: U.S. Farm Subsidies Hurting Africa's Development
By Joyce Mulama
NAIROBI, Apr 15 (IPS) - In a renewed campaign, African trade ministers have urged the United States to remove agricultural subsidies that are hurting African farmers.
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TRADE: U.S. Farm Subsidies Hurting Africa's Development
Quote:
Published on Monday, May 6, 2002 in the Philadelphia Inquirer
Why U.S. Farm Subsidies Are Bad for the World
They make it possible for us to export food so cheaply that farmers in poorer nations can't possibly compete.
by Andrew Cassel
Last year, I wrote about a documentary called Life and Debt that examined how globalization had affected ordinary people's lives in one poor country, Jamaica.
Filmmaker Stephanie Black found it both ironic and outrageous that American imports could be sold on the island for less than home-grown Jamaican food.
As a condition for helping Jamaica service its large foreign debt, international lending agencies demanded that the country keep its tariffs low. The government was unable to bar American sugar, grain, and other food products from the island, so its own farmers were stuck.
By guaranteeing U.S. farmers a minimum payment for commodities such as corn, rice and soybeans, the government encourages overproduction. That drives down the market price, forcing even higher subsidies and creating surpluses that can be shipped to Jamaica and elsewhere.
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Why U.S. Farm Subsidies Are Bad for the World
Quote:
US farm subsidies fuel Mexico corn crisis. Oxfam calls to change rigged trade rules that are hurting the poor.
Mexico's 10,000-year heritage of corn production is being destroyed after just 10 years of rigged “free trade” rules with the United States, international agency Oxfam said today.
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Also much US Foreign Aid to the poorer nations is tied to trade and political considerations
For example Aid to Israel accounts for over 12% of total US foreign Aid.
Many US aid programmes (about 90%) are "tied" to force recipient countries to buy USA services and products with the Aid the US gives.
