The World Trade Organization and the common agricultural policy : is the Common Agricultrual Policy of the European Union changing?

This paper presents the World Trade Organization, and analyzes how ongoing international trade negotiations (the Doha Round), if completed, will significantly limit the protection provided to farmers in the European Union. Export subsidies will be eliminated and import tariffs lowered by 60%. Yet, deadlines for the agreement have been violated several times, and it is unclear when a Doha Round agreement will be struck. Agricultural subsidies are widely supported in most European Union‘s member countries, both in the political sphere and amongst the public. The role and the budget of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2013 is currently under revision. Although the system is controversial, the majority of political actors do not suggest any major changes. However, in the absence of a Doha Round agreement, a slight decrease in budget size and a reassessment of payments, leading to more equal distribution between farmers, can be expected