Abstract
A reaction to the Hosansky article on Farm Subsidies in the "CQ Researcher" which discusses the Farm Bill implemented by President Bush on May 13 2002. The author illustrates how although the report contained sufficient information on the issue, it had an inward-looking bias and did not adequately emphasize the global impact of the U.S. Farm Bill. Furthermore the report is said to lack an international perspective of the issue and does not take a clear-cut stand on the merits or demerits of Farm Subsidies.

From the Paper
"The signing into law of the US Farm Bill in May 2002 has serious and profound international implications. These effects have only been mentioned in passing by the author and have not been analyzed or explained in sufficient depth. For example, the subsidies that have been built into the Bill (a massive 70% hike over the current levels) would result in overproduction of such food products as corn, wheat, cotton, rice and soybeans. This would drive down the market prices of these commodities and create huge surpluses in the United States. These products would then be exported to the poor countries of the world where the farmers cannot possibly compete with such low prices."

Tags:bill, U.S., researcher, CQ, poor, hosansky, global, farmer

Abstract
This paper explains that, although the United States provides proportionally less support for its farmers overall than the E.U., it is the second largest supporter of agriculture in the developed world; some commodities, such as sugar, have overall support at E.U. levels. The author points out that evidence suggests that the current U.S. barriers hit the very poorest countries hardest. The paper relates that direct support given to U.S. farmers and the presence of significant trade barriers for certain products means that the United States agricultural production is higher than it would be otherwise, which lowers world prices; moreover, U.S. direct export subsidies, export credits and food aid are likely to have a further depressing effect on world prices.

From the Paper
"This evidence also suggests that the United States Generalized System of Preferences, U.S. GSP, program is not particularly generous with respect to agricultural products, a point supported by some WTO calculations. The estimated gap between the average agricultural tariff faced by middle-income countries, who will largely have GSP terms, and OECD ones, who will mainly face MFN rates, in the United States is only 1.5 percent. A wide range of agricultural products are indeed excluded from coverage under the U.S. GDP, and even the U.S. Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, AGOA, excludes many significant agricultural products."

Tags:third-world, wto, eu, barriers, prices

Abstract
This paper argues that in view of the fact that most farm subsidies from the US government go to large agricultural corporations, the money would better be used to clean up the environment.

From the Paper
"Agricultural subsidies are financial assistance to farmers through government-sponsored price-support programs. Trade protection through tariffs imposed by governments on specific commodities to ensure that domestic producer prices exceed international prices, market price support and general support not linked to production, research training, marketing support and infrastructure, are other ways in which nations protect their agricultural sector."

Tags:agriculture, environment, farm subsidies, agribusiness

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that agricultural subsidies are governmental funds paid to farmers, including large agribusiness operations, as supplementary income, to manage the supply of particular agricultural commodities, and to influence these commodities' prices in domestic and foreign markets. This paper studies the American agriculture policy, its reasons, results and how it might be changed.

From the Paper
"The first questions one has to answer in looking at the effects of agricultural subsidies are: What are agricultural subsidies? Why did they start to be paid? Why are they continued? Agricultural subsidies are governmental funds paid to farmers, including large agribusiness operations, as supplementary income, to manage the ..."

Tags:agriculture, subsidies, policy

Abstract
This paper looks at the focus, impact and consequences of U.S. farm policies. In particular, it examines the 1996 Farm Bill, policy changes instituted in 1985, and the 2002 Farm Act. The paper concludes with an analysis of the consequences, whether positive or negative, of the Freedom to Farm Act.

From the Paper
"The United States has always supported its farmers through a number of different policies. This policy has included programs designed to distribute the nation's land in an equitable fashion, increase productivity, raising the standard of living of American farmers and helping them to market their products (Westcott and Price, 2001). US farm policy since the 1930s focused on price and income supports. Until the introduction of the 1996 Farm Bill, the price support system relied on a series of acreage limits and storage programs (Westcott and Price, 2001)."

Tags:american, small, large, farmers, farm, industry, products, subsidy, programs, crop, prices

Abstract
Examines definition, purpose of subsidies, effectiveness, impact on consumers and alternatives. .

From the Paper
"Introduction

Historically, the family farm in the United States has been considered one of the cornerstones of both the economy and the culture. The pioneers who colonized the West did so on farms and ranches, and the family farm epitomizes American values. In recent years, however, farming has increasingly been influenced by agribusiness, which consists of large corporations bringing economies of scale to huge operations. Commodity prices have fallen, and the smaller farmers are often forced to sell their assets and find other means of employment. This research considers one of the strategies used to stem this trend, price floors, and the economic ramifications of this strategy.

Price Floors
Price floors are minimum prices that the government guarantees farmers. If a ..."

Abstract
According to a 1994 GAO analysis, without water subsidies in California, farms would still be profitable. This paper first discusses the history of water subsidies, before showing their advantages and disadvantages. It ultimately argues that water subsidies should be done away with because of the billions of dollars they cost taxpayers each year and the fact that they encourage farmers to squander money.

From the Paper
"There are, however, far more negatives to providing farmer subsidies then positives. The main negative is the price of providing farmers with water - since 1902 we have lost 70 billion dollars in water subsidies, and it cost taxpayers approximately 2.2 billion a year (Candee). Also, the subsidies are not benefiting the farmers that need it the most, "Many corporate farms circumvent the acreage limits in reclamation law, thereby preventing small farmers from buying land at prices that are affordable while giving those larger operators unintended competitive advantages (Adams)." These water subsidies also cause a large loss in water; the San Joaquin River is dry for more than 12 miles because the flow of the river has been used for agricultural purposes. In regions near large water subsidies there has been destruction of wetlands and a decrease in fish and wildlife populations. In my opinion the negatives outweigh the positives of water subsidies."

Tags:environment, science, pollution

Abstract
This paper deals with the issue of free trade in agricultural products versus protectionism that is one of the fiercest international economic debates. It discusses the arguments of the proponents of free trade who believe in opening the global market with as few restrictions on trade as possible and those of the proponents of protectionism who believe in concentrating on the welfare of the domestic farming community. The stage at which the talks over subsidies take place is the World Trade Organization ("WTO").

Paper Outline:
Introduction
The Economics of Agriculture
Some Numbers
A Comparative Advantage of the Poor
The Reasons for Protectionism
The WTO and the Prisoner's Dilemma

From the Paper
"However, why do the rich countries like those of the European Union as well as the US today still subsidize their farmers to the tune of billions of dollars a year? Beginning in the 1930s most industrialized countries developed agricultural price-support policies to reduce the volatility of prices for farm products and to increase, or at least stabilize, farm income. Subsequently, in food-exporting countries, such as the United States and France, agricultural subsidies have been designed primarily to increase farm income, either by raising the long-term level of prices above free-market levels or by providing direct payments to farmers."

Tags:agricultural, EU, fast-track, trade, OECD

Abstract
This paper examines the history of federal support for farming and analyzes how effective it has been. The historical and economic background of the current crisis in American farming is also examined. The paper looks at the impact of the Grange movement, the Dust Bowl catastrophe, poor farming and land management methods and federal subsidies to farmers.

From the Paper
"We tend to think of the current crisis faced by American farmers in which each year farmers are forced to leave a profession and a calling that their families have often practiced for generations sometimes ..."

Tags:WPA, Dust Bowl, farming, Grange

Abstract
Discusses the effect of advanced technologies and the increased federal role in farming, as well as government farm subsidies programs and the acreage reduction program.

From the Paper
"In the last thirty years, total farm production in the United States has increased by eighty percent while at the same time this abundance has required less labor, capital, and physical resources to implement. This increase in farm production has been ..."