Oxfam calls for subsidy overhaul

16 October 2000



Oxfam calls for subsidy overhaul

By FWi staff

A LEADING charity has called for total reform of the way farm subsidies are paid.

Oxfam says by subsidising its farming industry, the West can flood poor countries with its goods, destroying their domestic food production.

Kevin Watkins, senior policy advisor for the charity, said changing farming practices in the West could make a difference in poorer countries.

He welcomed modulation, in which payments are transferred from production to environmental and rural schemes.

But more needs to be done to create a level playing field, Mr Watkins told the BBC Radio 4 Farming Today programme.

He said: “Theres no other area of international trade where youre allowed to subsidise your way into other peoples markets.”

Monday (16 October) is World Food Day, when the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation reveals how many go hungry around the world.

Current figures put the number at 800 million.