Further farm policy reform urgent as public finances remain under pressure, says OECD report

06-Jul-2009

OECD governments provided 265 billion US dollars in support to farmers last year, says a new OECD report. This represented 21 % of total farm receipts, down from 22% in 2007 and 26% in 2006. The falls were due mainly to the rise in agricultural commodity prices, rather than to policy decisions. With higher world prices, lower levels of support were needed to prop up domestic prices.

Trade ... and the road to economic recovery

29-Jun-2009

How can trade contribute to a global economic recovery? Why is it important to avoid protectionist measures? Ken Ash, OECD Director for Trade and Agriculture raises these questions with US Trade Representative Ron Kirk, WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy and Australian Trade Minister Simon Crean.

Agriculture more resilient to global crisis than other sectors, says OECD and FAO

17-Jun-2009

Because food is a basic necessity, the agriculture sector is showing more resilience to the global economic crisis than other industries, according to a new report by the OECD and UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation.

More competition key to future prosperity of Japan’s farm sector, says OECD report

19-May-2009

Improving competitiveness is essential to the future prosperity of Japan’s agricultural sector, according to a new OECD report. Recent attempts to focus support on the more efficient farmers can help, but progress will be limited as long as the sector is protected from competition.

Crisis is an opportunity to revive trade reforms, says OECD report

19-Mar-2009

Resisting protectionism and reviving stalled trade reforms would help the major emerging economies build on the progress achieved over the past two decades and emerge from the crisis with their trade performance strengthened, says a new OECD report.

Freer trade and well targeted support are keys to food security in emerging markets - OECD report

17-Mar-2009

As the global economic slowdown threatens to increase food insecurity among the world’s poor, a new OECD report calls on the major emerging economies to ensure their agricultural policies are focussed on long-term sustainability rather than short-term fixes.

Trade policy response to the global economic crisis

Global economic growth and trade are falling sharply. A prolonged recession is forecast in many countries. International trade policy measures to support open markets are needed now more than ever.