The WTO conference in Geneva agreed to eliminate export subsidies, facilitate market access and reduce domestic support for farmers. The text of the agreement is vague, and no exact dates have been set. The big question is whether the EU will reintroduce restitutions during the interim period after a year of zero subsidies. There will be a new Commission (government) on the 1st of November, and it is generally assumed that the parting Commission will take no action any more.

01 September, 2004