The WTO Agreement on Agriculture subjects different groups of developed and developing countries to different limits on domestic support and allows various exemptions from these limits. Offering a comprehensive assessment of the Agreement's rules and implementation, this book develops guidance toward socially desirable support policies. Although dispute settlement has clarified interpretation of the Agriculture and SCM Agreements, gaps remain between the legal disciplines and the economic effects of support. Considering the Agriculture Agreement also in the context of today's priorities of sustainability and climate change mitigation, Lars Brink and David Orden build a strategy that aligns the rules and members' commitments with the economic impacts of agricultural support measures. While providing in-depth analysis of the existing rules, their shortcomings and the limited scope of ongoing negotiations, the authors take a long-term view, where policies directed toward evolving priorities in agriculture are compatible with strengthened rules that reduce trade and production distortions.

By examining and comparing agricultural policies in India, Indonesia, China, and Vietnam, this study helps fill a significant gap in development research. The report provides an assessment of conceptual and measurement issues related to the effects of trade and domestic-support policies and policy reforms on the incentives of agricultural producers and presents empirical estimates of the degree of protection or disprotection in the four countries. From India's countercyclical policy outcomes and Indonesia's high levels of agricultural protection, to the trend toward modest support of agriculture in China and Vietnam, the report's results demonstrate both how changes in agricultural policy can improve farmers' incentives as economic growth occurs and how difficult it is to reform entrenched policy interventions. Through such findings, the report contributes to policy discussions on creating propoor policies related to agricultural support and trade, both at the domestic level and in international negotiations.

By examining and comparing agricultural policies in India, Indonesia, China, and Vietnam, this study helps fill a significant gap in development research. The report provides an assessment of conceptual and measurement issues related to the effects of trade and domestic-support policies and policy reforms on the incentives of agricultural producers and presents empirical estimates of the degree of protection or disprotection in the four countries. From India's countercyclical policy outcomes and Indonesia's high levels of agricultural protection, to the trend toward modest support of agriculture in China and Vietnam, the report's results demonstrate both how changes in agricultural policy can improve farmers' incentives as economic growth occurs and how difficult it is to reform entrenched policy interventions. Through such findings, the report contributes to policy discussions on creating propoor policies related to agricultural support and trade, both at the domestic level and in international negotiations.

Students of public policy and practitioners within the farm program arena will find theis book an essential source of insight, information, and original cross-disciplinary argument."--BOOK JACKET.