2009年-世界发展银行全球_Agricultural_Protection_Growth_in__Europe_1870-1969_26页_556kb

Summary of "Agricultural Protection Growth in Europe, 1870-1969"

Core Content

This paper examines the evolution of agricultural protection in Europe from 1870 to 1969, focusing on the reasons behind the dramatic shifts from free trade to heavy government intervention. It explores how political, economic, and social factors influenced these changes, particularly during key periods of agricultural crisis and economic development.

Main Periods and Policy Changes

1. Free Trade in the 19th Century

• 1840s-1870s: European countries, especially the UK and Belgium, moved towards free trade in agricultural products.
• Key Events:
  • Abolition of the Corn Laws in 1846 in the UK.
  • The 1860 English-French trade agreement and subsequent trade agreements contributed to the spread of free trade.
  • Reduction of import tariffs on live animals, meat, and vegetables.
• Economic Context: High farm incomes and productivity, partly due to the Crimean War which reduced Russian grain exports and increased prices.

2. Agricultural Crisis (1880-1895)

• Grain Price Decline: A sharp drop in grain prices due to increased imports from Canada, the US, Argentina, and Russia.
• Reasons:
  • Expansion of agricultural production in the US.
  • Technological innovations (machinery, transport, freezing technology) reduced production and transport costs.
• Impact: Crop farmers' incomes fell significantly, while livestock farmers initially benefited from lower feed costs.
• Government Responses:
  • UK and Belgium resisted increasing import tariffs.
  • France and Germany introduced import tariffs to protect their grain sectors.
  • Non-tariff barriers (e.g., disease controls) were used to protect livestock sectors.

3. Interwar Period (1918-1939)

• Post-WWI: Food prices were high due to war disruptions, and governments regulated markets to ensure supply.
• Post-WWI to 1920s: Prices declined, leading to a significant drop in farm incomes.
• Government Intervention:
  • Increased import protection for livestock products.
  • Use of subsidies and deficiency payments to support farmers.
  • Strong opposition from industry and workers to grain import protection.

4. World War II

• Regulation of Food Production: Governments strongly regulated food supply and prices.
• High Prices: Black markets saw high prices, and farmers' incomes were relatively high compared to the rest of the economy.

5. Post-WWII Period (1945-1969)

• Continued Regulation: Agricultural markets remained regulated to ensure food supply and support farm incomes.
• Income Gap: As the industrial and service sectors grew, the income gap between farmers and non-farm households widened.
• Introduction of CAP: The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was introduced in the 1960s, marking a shift to a more protectionist system.
• Food Security Argument: Governments justified protection based on food security, especially after the devastation of two world wars.

Key Influences on Agricultural Protection

1. Market Fluctuations and Income Gaps

• Agricultural protection increased during periods of depressed world market prices and rising import competition.
• It also increased when the income gap between agriculture and other sectors widened.
• Farmers demanded protection when their incomes were low, either in absolute terms or relative to other sectors.

2. Industrial Development and Opposition to Protection

• As food became less costly relative to income, the coalition of workers and industrial interests opposed agricultural protection.
• Opposition was strongest in industrialized countries like the UK, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
• In contrast, France and Germany, with less industrialization and a larger agricultural sector, were more willing to introduce protectionist measures.

3. Political Economy Factors

• The political power of different groups (landlords, industrialists, workers) influenced government decisions.
• In the UK, the influence of industrial capital and workers led to resistance against grain protection.
• In France and Germany, the agricultural sector was more influential in shaping policy, especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

4. European Integration

• The period 1945-1970 saw intense discussions on economic integration.
• The Benelux customs treaty and the Rome Treaty (1957) led to the creation of the European Economic Community.
• The CAP, established in 1962 and implemented in 1968, institutionalized protectionist policies in agriculture across Europe.

Conclusion

The paper highlights the complex interplay between economic development, political structures, and social interests in shaping agricultural protection policies in Europe. It argues that changes in agricultural market conditions and the relative income of farmers compared to other sectors were central to the demand for protection. However, the willingness of governments to respond to these demands varied significantly, influenced by the level of industrialization, the structure of the agricultural sector, and the political power of different groups. The introduction of the CAP in the 1960s marked a turning point, leading to a more systematic and distortionary approach to agricultural policy in Europe.