Agricultural subsidies in developed countries are hard to reduce in the short term

Introduction: Paris, June 6, Xinhua news A report released by the Paris based organization for economic cooperation and development on June 6 shows that its members' financial support for their own agriculture still accounted for 31% of the total income of agricultural producers in 2001 The report points out that this proportion is only one percentage point lower than the previous year, and only seven percentage points lower than the average of 38% from 1986 to 1988 In terms of amount, last year's subsidies to agriculture provided by OECD members amounted to US $311 billion, accounting for 1.3% of GDP in that year According to statistics, Iceland, South Korea, Japan, Norway and Switzerland account for more than 60% of the total income of producers The lowest is New Zealand, which is only 1%; Australia, which is 4%; the United States and the European Union, which are 21% and 35%, respectively Recently, the United States decided to increase agricultural subsidies by 80% over the next 10 years, totalling US $190 billion Analysts here believe that it is difficult for OECD to cut its financial support for agriculture in the short term However, according to the report of OECD, the progress of agricultural policy reform of OECD members in 2001 is not great, the current level of subsidies still poses a burden on their consumers and taxpayers, and fails to effectively benefit those agricultural operators who need to increase their income The report also points out that three quarters of subsidies play a role in distorting agricultural production and trade In addition, the agricultural subsidies implemented by the members limit the growth and development opportunities of agricultural production of non OECD members, that is, developing countries (author:) share to feed Weibo share to: