Introduction
A Taiwanese farmer “eggs” the Parliament building in Taipei, the capital, during a demonstration on March 8, 2012, opposing a government plan to relax restrictions on U.S. beef imports. Farmers worldwide passionately defend their import protections and agricultural subsidies. (AFP/Getty Images/Sam Yeh)
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Agriculture has been one of the most heavily protected and subsidized economic sectors in developed countries for more than 80 years. Modern farm programs, arising out of the despair of the Great Depression and the devastation of World War II, have poured billions of dollars into farming in order to maintain commodity prices, stabilize markets, reduce surpluses and encourage conservation. Nevertheless, overall government support for farmers in developed nations fell to historic lows in 2010, as high commodity prices helped make agriculture one of the few economic sectors that is prospering. But as the European Union and the United States begin revising their agricultural programs this year, many analysts question whether farm supports still make sense. Western farm subsidies and policies have hurt developing-world farmers by restricting their access to developed-world markets while allowing Western farmers to export cheaper, subsidized farm goods. Experts say farmers in poor countries must be supported, however, because they will be needed to feed a burgeoning world population.
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Nov. 02, 2018 |
Organic Farming Boom |
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May 01, 2012 |
Farm Subsidies |
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Dec. 02, 1994 |
Farm Policy |
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Aug. 05, 1994 |
Genetically Engineered Foods |
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Mar. 25, 1983 |
Farm Policy's New Course |
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Oct. 28, 1977 |
Farm Policy and Food Needs |
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Apr. 06, 1966 |
Reversal of Farm Policy |
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May 02, 1962 |
Milk Surpluses |
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Dec. 07, 1949 |
Brannan Plan |
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May 01, 1939 |
Agriculture Under the Trade Agreements |
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Sep. 20, 1937 |
Farm Legislation and the Ever-Normal Granary |
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Nov. 05, 1935 |
Potato Control Under the A.A.A. |
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Apr. 25, 1934 |
Stabilization of the Dairy Industry |
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Jan. 24, 1930 |
The Federal Farm Board |
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Sep. 24, 1928 |
Wheat Pools in Canada and the United States |
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Feb. 10, 1927 |
The McNary-Haugen Bill |
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Dec. 10, 1924 |
The President's Agricultural Conference |
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