GLOBAL SUBSIDIES INITIATIVE
Subsidy WatchIssue 25, July 2008
Analysis
In the coming months, we are likely to see a number of news articles on the ongoing WTO disputes over subsidies allegedly given by the U.S. government and EU Member States to the two dominant makers of civil aircraft, Boeing and Airbus.
News
Already under pressure due to the ballooning costs of their subsidy policies, many Latin American countries are also threatened by their old nemesis, inflation. Moreover, dealing with one could actually worsen the other.
Countries in Latin America that subsidize energy and food have seen their budgets climb in alarming fashion this year due to soaring international prices for these commodities.
Heeding complaints by the European biodiesel industry, the European Commission (EC) has launched an inquiry into U.S. biodiesel subsidies which are alleged to have resulted in dumping of U.S. biodiesel into the European market.
At the centre of the controversy is a Volumetric Blenders Tax Credit adopted by the U.S. in 2004 which grants a tax credit of US$ 1 per gallon - or over US$ 300 per ton - of biodiesel blended in the United States.
Studies
-
Discussion paper reviews methods for measuring irrigation subsidies
A discussion paper published in June by the GSI aims to encourage the development of an internationally recognized methodology for quantifying irrigation subsidies. To date, a variety of methods have been used to measure subsidies for irrigation. The fact that these methods are not comparable has hampered efforts to discipline subsidies at an international level.*
-
OECD chastises Canada over farming policy
The Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) criticizes a number of Canadian subsidy programmes, but particularly its support to farmers, in a new economic survey. In the last six years Canada has backtracked from earlier moves toward liberalizing its agricultural sector, to the detriment of most Canadian farmers, according to the OECD.
-
World Bank recommends approach to analyzing distortions in agricultural markets
A report published by the World Bank adds to the literature on modeling distortions to the agricultural sector by recommending an approach that it claims is better tailored to developing countries.
-
New research from Missouri refutes allegations that ethanol mandates save money
A report from a Missouri-based research organization debunks the claim that Missourians are saving money through a state law requiring that retail gasoline contain a minimum of 10% ethanol. The report is in reaction to an assertion by the Missouri Corn Merchandising Association (MCMA), alleging that Missourians will save more than US$ 285 million through the E-10 mandate in 2008, and nearly US$ 2 billion over the following decade.
www.globalsubsidies.org
- Email:
- info [at] globalsubsidies [dot] org
- Tel:
- +41 22 917 88 48
- Fax:
- +41 22 917 80 54
9, Chemin de Balexert, office 5-53
1219 Châtelaine, Geneva
Switzerland
website by EthicalStudios.com