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Tell me. I don't know the context. For all I know the 70% could all be hobby weekend farmers who produce crap. OTOH there are big gentleman farmers like Prince Charles who produce bio fruit and vegetables and exquisite food industries which - due to the subsidies - still produce such rare gems like i.e. Rum agricole from Martinique.

"The USA appears destined by fate to plague America with misery in the name of liberty." Simon Bolivar, Caracas, 1819
by Ritter on Tue Nov 8th, 2005 at 06:30:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]
But Prince Charles is independently wealthy. If he wants to operate an unprofitable organic farm, that's great, or he could sell the produce for an exclusive price. There is no need to subsidize his farms, surely.

Countries are allowed to subsidize a small industry for "strategic reserve" purposes. Other than that, the CAP should probable be superseded by the proposed Globalization Adjustment Fund. France could allocate its "adjustment" funds to farmers, other countries to other sectors, and the UK to noone at all (since they believe in the free market). Agricultural subsidies should go to farmers, not to farms.

guaranteed to evoke a violent reaction from police is to challenge their right to "define the situation." --- David Graeber citing Marc Cooper

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Tue Nov 8th, 2005 at 06:56:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]
It was all for PR, too. Reportedly the US authorities were more concerned about aid arriving under a foreign flag than about it not arriving at all.

The press in pretty much every country reported on the frustration of that country's officials. In the case of Spain, not only was aid rejected but a Spanish Member of Parliament and her family were rescued from the Convention Center only after the Spanish Embassy asked for authorisation to fly in a commando from Houston. I suppose the embarrassment was too much in that case.

The Czech press reported that, after days of stalling, the State Department finally decided to accept some aid "so as not to offend" other countries.

All for PR, which apparently is the style of government of the global right.

guaranteed to evoke a violent reaction from police is to challenge their right to "define the situation." --- David Graeber citing Marc Cooper

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Tue Nov 8th, 2005 at 07:14:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Doesn't this one belong on the thread where we were discussing post-Katrina aid? (Where I'd be happy to see it, btw).
by afew (afew(a in a circle)eurotrib_dot_com) on Wed Nov 9th, 2005 at 10:12:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]
One might say, "Who cares about rare gems like Rum agricole?"  

Very often those rare gems are manufactured from rare cultivars carrying the last genetic material from hundreds - or thousands - of years of selection.  These plants represent a tremendous resource the world needs to save for our future.  Unfortunately these species cannot compete with cultivars bred only for production.

by ATinNM on Tue Nov 8th, 2005 at 07:29:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I care.

In the case of Rum Agricole it has nothing to to with the sugar cane, its difference to all other rums consists solely in the fact that the French rum is produced directly from sugar syrop, whereas the other rum destillers reboil the left over crap from the sugar mills. The difference of the taste is huge. The French can do it only because of the CAP subsidies.

The same is true for those Chianti wines which still follow the traditional method called 'al governo toscano' which prescribes the double fermentation and an extended decantation period until the first full moon after Easter. The CAP makes it possible.

The same is possibly true for all food production processes which require time.

Btw: 'Real' Coca-Cola is produced in the EU and can now be purchased as premium quality re-import in the US too. CAP again?

Link to real Coca-Cola imported from Holland:

http://www.popsoda.com/coccolfromho.html

7oz Longneck Bottle

The Real Thing with Real Sugar.Enjoy this Classic beverage the way it is meant to taste with Low to Medium Carbonation for more of the Classic Coke Flavor.

Contains: Carbonated Water, Sugar, Citric Acid, Anti-Oxidant, Natural Cola Extract.

 

"The USA appears destined by fate to plague America with misery in the name of liberty." Simon Bolivar, Caracas, 1819

by Ritter on Tue Nov 8th, 2005 at 08:13:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]
So do I.

Anyone distinquish between the 'Bouncing Beefstake,' bred to withstand a fall of 1 meter intact, and an heirloom tomato which survived the decades by its superior taste.

Commercially, the standard (here in the States) Beefstake is grown because one plant will produce 8 lbs (~3.75 kilos).  Heirlooms cannot compete on a per-plant/output basis.  The Beefstake tastes like rubber but people have to buy the damn things because that's all there is.

This is slowly changing as produce and meats that have taste and flavour (zounds!) enter the market.  

by ATinNM on Tue Nov 8th, 2005 at 08:30:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]
by ATinNM on Tue Nov 8th, 2005 at 08:56:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I think making Kenyan peasants die of starvation to reduce heirloom tomato prices in Covent Garden is kinda fucked up. But that's just me.
by citizen k (sansracine yahoo.fr) on Tue Nov 8th, 2005 at 10:37:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]
That quality products are sold at a premium to discerning customers with enough money is as old as the world (or at least as old as trade).  I don't think we have the CAP to thank for the survival of remarkable plant and animal varieties nor that of sophisticated production processes.

Thanks for the coke link (great catch), I know several big coke drinkers who have been moaning about its taste and that I need to get off my back!

OT to the people in charge: this whole thread reminds me that we need a "favorite whisky" survey or something of that nature :-)

Cheers all

by Guillaume on Wed Nov 9th, 2005 at 04:12:02 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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