Brussels, 22/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - Official aid for agriculture in the countries of the OECD fell to 18% of total agricultural income in 2010. This unprecedented fall can be attributed to the high prices of raw materials, according to an OECD report published on Wednesday 21 September.
Government support is still largely granted in such a way that it distorts production and trade, the report regrets. Over the period from 2008 to 2010, New Zealand had the lowest level of support to farm receipts, at just 1% of farm income, followed by Australia (3%), and Chile (4%). The United States has reduced its level of support to 9% and the EU to 22% of farm income, but it is still above the OECD average. (LC/transl.rt)