San Francisco Debate : Should the US suspend subsidies on Agriculture?

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Last July, Congress enacted legislation defining US agricultural policy for the next five years. While there were changes made to certain aspects of the policy, it was viewed by some as a continuation of long-standing policy regarding farm subsidies.

Proponents of these subsidies claim that they protect farmers and US consumers from fluctuating food prices and discourage over-production.

While many of these assumptions have gone largely unchallenged for decades, a growing number of critics have emerged to argue that subsidies simply serve longtime incumbents and inhibit emerging, healthier and more environmentally sustainable, agricultural trends.

Suggested Reading

• Why U.S. Farm Subsidies Are Bad for the World:
• Ripe for Reform: Six Good Reasons to Reduce U.S. Farm Subsidies and Trade Barriers: http://www.freetrade.org/node/31
• The Illogic of Farm Subsidies, and Other Agricultural Truths:
• Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
• Agricultural subsidy
• US Farm Subsidies "Good" for India?
• Farm Program Pays $1.3 Billion to People Who Don't Farm

This event is FREE for Members of INFORUM (Commonwealth Club) / $5 for Non-Members

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