Agricultural Policies in OECD Countries A Positive Reform Agenda

Book excerpt: This paper sets out the key elements of a positive reform agenda for agricultural policies in OECD countries. Its objective is to outline ways in which Member countries can reap the gains of market orientation and open trade, while simultaneously addressing a broad range of domestic objectives, including those related to farm household incomes, the environment, food ecurity, food safety and the viability of rural areas. The paper is forward looking and avoids judgements of specific policies in individual countries. Without pre-empting agricultural trade negotiations, it considers the economic consequences of alternative approaches to agricultural policy reform.