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2001 Forum |
2/18/02 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Top analysts will debate domestic
and global Ag policy at Ag forum
-- Contact: Sandy Clarke
Center for Agricultural and Rural Development 515-294-6257
sclarke@card.iastate.edu
1/29/02 FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
"Prices, Policy, and the WTO"
is Agricultural Forum Topic March 1
-- Contact:
Sandy Clarke
Center for Agricultural and Rural Development 515-294-6257
sclarke@card.iastate.edu
Iowa State University
Center for Agricultural and Rural Development
2/18/02
Contact:
Sandy Clarke, Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, (515) 294-6257
TOP ANALYSTS WILL DEBATE DOMESTIC AND GLOBAL AG POLICY AT AG FORUM
AMES, Iowa -- On March 1, the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) at Iowa State University will bring together top agricultural policy analysts from around the world to talk about global trade and domestic farm support at the Agricultural Forum 2002, "Prices, Policy, and the WTO."
This year's forum, which will be held in the Scheman Building on campus, comes at a time when Congress is hammering out the details of a new U.S. farm bill while a new agreement in agriculture also is pending for World Trade Organization members. The juxtaposition of the two agricultural policies-with their seemingly competing goals-sets the stage for the conference discussion.
"The direction and profitability of Midwestern agriculture largely will be determined by the new farm bill and by the outcome of WTO negotiations," said CARD Director Bruce Babcock. "This year's Ag Forum will allow participants to interact directly with policy makers and analysts to gain a better understanding of where these policies are headed. The focus will be on understanding how politicians reconcile the need to support domestic interests while adhering to international standards of fair trade."
Brazilian, Canadian and Korean economists will meet their U.S. counterparts from Iowa State and the University of California to debate the impacts of policy choices on other countries and on world markets, the role of the World Trade Organization and the key issues in drafting a successful new international agricultural agreement.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Jim Moseley will provide the luncheon address on "The New Farm Bill and the New WTO Negotiations." U.S. Senator and Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Tom Harkin also is an invited speaker.
For the latest program information and a registration form, visit http://www.agforum.org, or call (515) 294-7519. Walk-in registrations will be accepted March 1 beginning at 7:30 a.m., but the noon meal is not guaranteed. The program begins at 8:30 a.m.
CARD initiated the Agricultural Forum in 1990 to facilitate an annual,
broad-based discussion of issues critical to the vitality of agriculture.
"Prices, Policy, and the WTO" is Agricultural Forum Topic March 1
Ames, Iowa -- "Prices, Policy, and the WTO," the Agricultural Forum 2002 at Iowa State University, will focus on the effort to align U.S. farm policy with commitments to world trade.
The March 1 forum, sponsored by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), also will explore the effect both domestic and international policies have on commodity prices and the profitability of U.S. agriculture.
Designing appropriate and effective policy for the U.S. agricultural sector has become more of a balancing act for congressional leaders in 2002. The income safety net is on one side of the issue, while commitments to reduce trade barriers, along with trade-distorting domestic subsidies, is on the other. The Agricultural Forum 2002 will provide a closer examination of these issues and stimulate an informed debate.
Following introductory remarks by CARD Director Bruce Babcock, Robert Thompson, director of rural development at The World Bank, will speak on the world agricultural situation. A closer look at the mission of the World Trade Organization (WTO) will follow, with a spotlight on the key issues to be resolved before completion of a new trade agreement in agriculture.
Panelists from Brazil, Canada, and Korea will discuss international perspectives of WTO rules and U.S. farm policy. Dan Sumner of the University of California Agricultural Issues Center and Anastassios Haniotis of the European Commission will measure the progress of the United States and European Union in enacting WTO-compliant domestic agricultural policy. A final session will assess the impact of trade negotiations on midwestern commodities and livestock.
Registration is $75 if postmarked by Feb. 20, or $90 after that date and at the door. Students and Iowa State University faculty and staff can register for $25. For the latest program information and a downloadable registration form, visit the Agricultural Forum web site at www.agforum.org or call (515) 294-6257.
CARD initiated the Agricultural Forum in 1990 to facilitate an annual, broad-based discussion of issues critical to the vitality of agriculture.
Copyright © 2002,
Center for Agricultural and Rural
Development