AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES

Early day motion 1717, tabled 18 September 2003 by Kelvin Hopkins (Labour). Signed by 26 members.

That this House condemns the USA and European Union for dumping heavily-subsidised agricultural surpluses on world markets which cause such damage to the livelihoods of poor farmers in developing nations; considers that this practice highlights the hypocrisy of richer nations in their alleged concern for the poor of the world; and therefore calls on the Government to take a lead in the campaign for trade justice by seeking the abolition of the European Common Agricultural Policy, the return of agricultural policies to member states and the abolition of systems of agricultural subsidy based on price maintenance which drive the production of surpluses in the EU and developed nations across the world.

Signatures by party: Labour 15, Liberal Democrat 7, Labour/Co-operative 3, Conservative 1.