Scrap Unfair Agriculture Subsidies In the Interest of Taxpayers

10.20.18am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 11th Sep 2003

Vincent Cable MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow DTI Secretary, launched an attack today on the Government and the EU negotiators over failure to open agricultural markets, to be discussed at the WTO Ministerial in Cancun, Mexico.

Dr. Cable said: "The Government has allowed the EU negotiators to define the European negotiating position in the interests of French farming and protectionist agricultural interests."

"Dumping surplus goods on world markets at reduced prices drives developing country producers out of business. It is in the interests of UK taxpayers and consumers to see an end to these heavy subsidies which distort world markets and add pounds to our shopping bills."

"The British Government, which has long claimed to be the champion of trade liberalisation, has allowed this appalling situation to arise. Considerable responsibility lies on the shoulders of Patricia Hewitt, who has not played her cards well."

Andrew George MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Food and Rural Affairs Minister, said: "Production subsidies and trade barriers put up purely for reasons of naked protectionism should be removed. But the UK's high animal welfare and environmental standards drive up production costs."

"A formula must be agreed that offsets these costs against access for imports which do not meet the strict standards expected of UK producers."