Is the G-8 dialogue with Development 5 going to extend to the contentious area of agricultural subsidies?
The G-8 summit would take the dialogue a step further. Subsidies is going to come up in general but not specific terms. One of the issues to be discussed is where the global economy is going and the WTO ministerial is crucial to that. The Doha development round will help freer South-South trade and help Africa. On agriculture, we in the EU have moved forward by breaking the link between production and subsidy to farmers. We removed the incentive to farmers to plant more and have given a commitment to reduce export subsidies to zero over time. Change in agriculture in Europe is on the anvil. Some would like to have it faster including the U.K. There are two huge agenda items for the U.K.’s EU presidency. One is agriculture and its link to the budget. The wider issue is the nature and structure of European economy as it integrates into the global economy. The second is the constitution. These are two big issues on which Tony Blair wants us to reflect on and move forward in the next six m
