U.S. increases exports of Spring Wheat 30% in 07/08 - Canada decreases 12.4%

[LWeber]

Drought Stirs Debate on Wheat Export Subsidies
SPECIAL TO THE NEW YORK TIMES
Published: June 29, 1988

its a frikkin 1988 article. 3 farm bills ago.

[charliep]

wilagro

The US has not used the export program for 20 years (as per LWeber).

Try again.

[wilagro]

Charlie: That was a bit dated I must admit...BUT...The Export Enhancement Progtam Is still available.

http://www.fas.usda.gov/exportprograms.asp

If they are not using it...why is it still on their site? It still is valid according to the site.

[charliep]

Will note the following from your link (article dated March 2006).

The EEP was announced by USDA on May 15, 1985, and is operated under authority of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 as amended, the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, and the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. Consistent with its World Trade Organization commitments under the Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture, the United States has established annual ceilings by commodity with respect to export quantities and budget outlays. The EEP has been inactive in recent years, and no allocations were announced for fiscal 2005.

source: http://www.fas.usda.gov/info/factsheets/eep.asp

[charliep]

Tried to dig out the budget allocation to EEP/actual spending but noted in several references that eep will disappear with the 2008 farm (there was $478 mln allocated annually to eep in 2002 but none has been used that I know of)" See below.

Quote: "Export Enhancement Program (EEP)—Program started in May 1985 under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to help U.S. exporters meet competitors' prices in subsidized markets. Under the EEP, exporters received subsidies based on the volume of exports to specifically targeted countries. The program was reauthorized by the 1985 Farm Act and subsequent farm acts, until it was repealed by the 2008 Farm Bill." End

Source:http://www.ers.usda.gov/briefing/Farmpolicy/glossary.htm#e

[cottonpicken]

"would us exports be as high as they are without the subsidies"

Pot calling the kettle black,glad the canadian tax payer has to pick up 2/3 rds of my crop insurance bill.

If the rich nations had never propt up their own ag sectors,we wouldnt have anybody to export to.

Normal market function would have made poorer nations naturally richer and more efficent.

Tens of millions probably wouldnt have starved either.


But who cares about rules and fair play and free markets.

Lets keep our "collective boot" on darkies face....forever.

And close our eyes to our own misdeeds,and blame someone else.