Press Release: Payments to US farmers increase by 700% in four years Franz Fischler

Following yesterday's decision by the US to increase farm support through the provision of an extra $7 100 m in the form of direct payments together with a further $8 200 m over the next five years in the form of crop insurance subsidies, Franz Fischler, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, stated: “Providing supplementary support of over $15 000 m to US farmers severely undermines the credibility of the frequent US statements on the need for a global reduction in agricultural support. In fact, US direct support to agriculture has increased by about 700% since 1996. Time and again the US denounces other countries, in particular the EU, for providing support to their farmers while at the same time, year after year, they provide special financial packages for their own farmers, over and above that already foreseen under the FAIR Act. By contrast, the EU has decided on the implementation of a second major agricultural policy reform in a decade, including a freeze on expenditure until 2006.”