10 October 2005

US ready to end farm subsidies

The headline is great; very encouraging. However, there appears to be no unmitigated good in this announcement. Apparently the aid agentcies are skeptical. I imagine it has something to do with this:
The US is offering developing countries a stark choice, Mr Hardstaff argued. In order to gain concessions on farm subsidies, poorer countries would have to agree to sweeping cuts on industrial tariffs and open their markets to service firms. "It's a choice between short-term gain on agriculture and long-term development opportunities," Mr Hardstaff said.

The Empire gives, the Empire takes away. They appear not to understand the issues.Guardian Unlimited | The Guardian | US ready to end farm subsidies:On Del.icio.us: , , , , , , , , ,

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"Spend and tax" not "tax and spend"

 I got a response from my MP which got me kind of mad. You'll see why as I reproduce it here. Apologies for the strange changes in types...