Bell Off to Hong Kong

Monday, December 12, 2005 04:01 AM

Agriculture Minister Pat Bell, is heading a delegation of three to the World Trade Organization meeting taking place in Hong Kong this week.

He is joined by senior staff from his ministry along with senior staff from the Economic Development Ministry. Bell says the thrust of the BC delegation will be to try and sway the group (expected to number over 50,000 people) to eliminate the huge subsidies that exist in Agriculture around the world. Bell says "Agriculture is the most heavily subsidized industry in the world and everyone would benefit if those subsidies were eliminated." He cited for example in Europe agriculture is subsidized by over 70%, in the USA 45 % while here in Canada we subsidize agriculture by about 20 odd per cent.

The Minister says BC has the lowest subsidizes on agriculture in Canada. "In spite of that" he said, "in BC we did about $1.6 billion dollars in trade last year. You may find it hard to believe, but flower cultivation brought in about $250 million dollars last year, beef is big and wine is becoming a big player.”

A lot of countries he adds are not interested in opening up their borders and that hurts everyone. For example he said the Americans heavily subsidize apple production and it has hurt our industry. It is definitely not a level playing field.

What are we hoping to gain? Bell says it will be difficult with the small BC delegation but "We're hoping to attract some interest and expand our markets while at the same time getting some countries to reduce their subsidies to agriculture. We do hope to send a unified message from Canada that we want a free market in the world." He admits though, that with 175 countries attending this conference, that is a difficult task .

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Posted on Monday, December 12, 2005 04:01 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: acrider54 on December 12 2005 6:07 AM

Another total waste of money. I like sending MLA's on all paid holidays.

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on December 12 2005 7:56 AM

Ya, I agree. Subsidies are a total waste of money. Makes me glad I'm not a politician, I would not want to be sent on a vacation to a stink hole like Hong Kong. People stacked up like 2x4's just to sleep at night. If I win a trip to Hong Kong, I'll give it to you.

Posted by: Jethro on December 12 2005 9:57 AM

.
Signing off for good folks...!

This blog has become completely irrelevant to anyone that wants to discuss strategies for improving our lot in life, at either the municipal or provincial levels.

Good luck Ben... leading your band of whiners and complainers on a website that is now consistently ignored by almost everyone.

Posted by: Chadermando on December 12 2005 12:24 PM

I'm not a Pat supporter, but I do think this trip in favour of free trade at this critical time in the global free trade debate is important.

The main issue for this round of WTO talks is the elimination of trade subsidies in the agricultural sector, so yes it does make sense that we are represented at those talks by our BC agriculture minister.

Anyone who thinks Canada will represent BC's free trade intrests at those talks is in an alternate reality IMO.

If were lucky Pat can rub shoulders with delegates from countries like Japan and China and push BC's free trade agenda against the wishes of our central Canadian protectionist handlers.

Time Will Tell

Posted by: Chadermando on December 12 2005 12:27 PM

Jethro, good luck debating with yourself.

Look at it this way, at least you will win all your debates. <;-)

Posted by: diplomat on December 12 2005 2:34 PM

>For example he (Bell)said the Americans heavily subsidize apple production and it has hurt our industry.<

Well, are we slapping a 27% duty on US apples and
collecting it? If not, why not? I mean, the minister says it is hurting us - so, how about doing that before going off to Hong Kong?

Then, he will have something to discuss with his American counterpart, if he/she shows up!

Remember the softwood lumber fiasco, all of it illegal according to WTO and NAFTA rulings?

Posted by: Mike on December 12 2005 2:44 PM

Sure gonna miss that Jethro guy aren't you uncle Jed??
Agriculture minister heading to Hong Kong--hmmm--maybe he's gonna sell em some tree seeds and help them get out of the rice and bamboo business. Why does BC even need an agriculture minister? We grow a bit of corn and BC bud. Other than that this province is totally littered with trees--we sure as hell don't need an agriculture minister to grow trees. With any luck his trip will be one way.

Posted by: Norm on December 12 2005 4:29 PM

the difference between the subside on apples between canada and the usa should be added to the usa imports. fare is fare

Posted by: Tudenom on December 13 2005 12:09 PM

Jethro, try not to let acrider54 get you down, he's a troll.

That's the problem with internet discussion boards, you have to cut through the chaff to get to the good stuff.

Take a look at this:

http://members.aol.com/intwg/trolls.htm

Posted by: gypsy on December 13 2005 2:33 PM

There are NO TROLLS on Opinion250.
There are people who enjoy healthy discussions, the exchange of ideas to rectify so called problems, suspect wrong doings by politicians and individuals holding some form of office which gives them power, general information of interest to the public.. etc.
I am certain no specific individual has any interest in openly attacking another poster with the intent of causing that poster any anguish.
Perhaps people take remarks in the wrong context.
Many posters just enjoy a healthy discussion, and another's opinion can be beneficial and even alter and expand on your own.
Opinion 250 can be such a great learning experience. I know many of the discussions brought forward have certainly been of interest to me.
My intention in responding is not to devalue the other party personally, but debating an issue, in my opinion, is decidedly a healthy way to continue learning, as there is no one that cannot benefit in some manner from another's beliefs.(well, maybe now always!!).
I have never come on the site with the specific intention of hurting any posters feelings.
Guess you just have to have a thick skin sometimes???

Posted by: McDuck on December 13 2005 11:15 PM

Why is eliminating agricultural subsidies important? Do we want big agribusinesses which pollute and monopolize farming which exludes the small farmer? Does this minister think or is he just another talkin head? Is what he wants for the good of our country and the people? Perhaps large scale corporate agricultural businesses will give us the opportunity to earn a minimum wage while making investors rich.
Sounds like bullshit to me.

Posted by: diplomat on December 15 2005 4:47 PM

>Why is eliminating agricultural subsidies important?<

Some people object to subsidies because they are paid for with our own tax money. In some countries (France, for instance) farmers are being paid for NOT planting crops.

That reduces the supply and increases prices to the consumer. The USA is dumping cheap subsidized corn into the Mexican market, putting the small Mexican farmers out of business. They can't make a living anymore.

Countries won't reach any agreements at the WTO in Hong Kong on subsidies.

Wonder how the weather is over there at this time of the year? Hong Kong is world famous for the exotic fine dining and the even more exotic night life!!!