Empathizing with France and Pakistan on Agricultural Subsidy Issues in the Doha Round

37 Pages Posted: 14 Apr 2011

See all articles by Raj Bhala

Raj Bhala

University of Kansas - School of Law; International Bar Association; Dentons U.S. LLP; Bloomberg Quint / BQ Prime

Date Written: 2007

Abstract

Among the most contentious issues (if not the most contentious issue) in the Doha Round negotiations are agricultural subsidies. Developed countries stand accused of selfish adherence to domestic support and export subsidies that impoverish farmers in developing countries. Developing countries are blamed for self-inflicted wounds, caused by stubborn adherence to protectionist policies, covering both agricultural and industrial sectors. Agricultural subsidy cutis, as well as increased market access, are politically impossible for developed countries to concede without reciprocal access from developing countries, not only on farm products, but also in non-agricultural markets and service sectors.

There has been, and continues to be, plenty of dialogue among the trade officials of WTO Members. Is it a dialogue of the deaf? Do developed countries appreciate that poor countries face daunting challenges in reforming their trade regimes? While the challenges must be faced sooner or later, do developed countries understand the fine line in some developing countries between aggressive trade liberalization urged by moderates and descent into a failed statehood dominated by autarkic extremists? Conversely, do developing countries appreciate that developed countries may have legitimate concerns about the economic and non-economic functions of their farm sector? Do they appreciate the progress made in reform to this sector?

This Article explores these questions in two steps. First, Pakistan and France are case studies of the Group of 20 (G-20) developing countries and the European Union (EU), respectively. The problems faced in each country, in respect of agriculture, are presented. For Pakistan, special attention is paid to rural poverty in the context of overall economic reform pushed forth by President Pervez Musharraf. For France, emphasis is placed on how the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) works and has been altered since the 1992 MacSharry Reform. Second, the G-20 and EU negotiating positions in the Doha Round on agricultural subsidies are explained and analyzed. These positions relate directly to the difficulties faced by the likes of Pakistan and France in their agricultural sectors.

Empathy is the theme underlying this Article. Neither side should demonize or be demonized by the other. Both sides have legitimate concerns, not the least of which is food security, a constant worry in front-line states on the "War on Terror," and a founding principle of the CAP.

Keywords: Doha Round, agricultural subsidies, developing countries, CAP, Common Agricultural Policy

JEL Classification: F10, F19, K33, O13

Suggested Citation

Bhala, Raj, Empathizing with France and Pakistan on Agricultural Subsidy Issues in the Doha Round (2007). Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law, Vol. 40, pp. 949-985, 2007, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1808166

Raj Bhala (Contact Author)

University of Kansas - School of Law ( email )

Green Hall
1535 West 15th Street
Lawrence, KS 66045-7577
United States
785-864-9224 (Phone)
7858645054 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raj_Bhala

International Bar Association ( email )

London
United Kingdom

Dentons U.S. LLP ( email )

4520 Main Street
Suite 1100
Kansas City, MO 64111-7700
United States
7858649224 (Phone)
7858645054 (Fax)

Bloomberg Quint / BQ Prime ( email )

One Indiabulls Center, 3rd Floor, Tower B
Senapati Bapat Marg
Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013
India

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
93
Abstract Views
674
Rank
502,806
PlumX Metrics