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Agricultural Trade
Protectionism is incapable of saving jobs. Employment in specific industries has declined largely because productivity growth has outpaced demand growth. Rising productivity is good for the economy; it provides workers with opportunities for higher paying jobs. Trade protection defers and complicates this process, though. It distorts market signals that might otherwise encourage new investment in new industries, and discourages workers from seeking opportunities these investments provide.
The same concepts hold for government intervention in agricultural markets. Cutting farm subsidies and agricultural trade barriers would save U.S. taxpayers and consumers tens of billions of dollars during the next decade, would yield environmental benefits by reducing over-production, and stimulate innovation and productivity on farms.
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Books and Book Chapters
"Agricultural Policy," Chapter 18, Cato Handbook for Policymakers, 7th Edition (2009).
"Agricultural Policy," Chapter 30, Cato Handbook for Congress: Policy Recommendations for the 108th Congress, (2003).
"Agricultural Policy," Chapter 31, Cato Handbook for Congress: Policy Recommendations for the 107th Congress, (2001).
"Environmental Health: Risks and Reality," Chapter 46, Cato Handbook for Congress: Policy Recommendations for the 107th Congress, (2001).
The Precautionary Principle: A Critical Appraisal of Environmental Risk Assesment, by Indur M. Goklany (2001).
Cato Studies
"Crisis Averted? How Government Actions Keep Food Prices High," by Sallie James, Free Trade Bulletin no. 35, December 7, 2008
"Food Fight," by Sallie James, Free Trade Bulletin no. 31, January 30, 2008
"Securing Land Rights for Chinese Farmers: A Leap Forward for Stability and Growth," by Zhu Keliang and Roy Prosterman, Development Policy Analysis no. 3, October 15, 2007
"Milk Madness," by Chris Edwards, Tax & Budget Bulletin no. 47, July 1, 2007
"Freeing the Farm: A Farm Bill for All Americans," by Sallie James and Daniel Griswold, Trade Policy Analysis no. 34, April 16, 2007
Articles and Newsletters
"The Benefits of Biotech," by Gregory Conko, Regulation, vol. 26, no. 1, Spring 2003, pp. 6.
"Reform's Stunted Crop," by David Orden, Regulation, vol. 25, no. 1, 2002, pp. 7.
"Congress's Dairy Dilemma," by Kenneth W. Bailey, Regulation, vol. 24, no. 4, 2001, pp. 9.
"Food Risks and Labeling Controversies," by Henry I . Miller and Peter VanDoren, Regulation, vol. 23, no. 1, 2000.
"Politics and Cynicism Dominate UN Biotech Deliberations," by Henry I. Miller, Regulation, vol. 22, no. 2, 1999, pp. 2.
Opinion and Commentary
"It's Time to Kick Farmers Off the Federal Dole," by Doug Bandow, Forbes, July 18, 2011
"Republicans Are Weak on Farm Subsidies," by Michael D. Tanner, National Review (Online), February 9, 2011
"'1099' Repeal Speaks Volumes About ObamaCare," by Michael F. Cannon, KaiserHealthNews.org, February 7, 2011
"The Feds' Fat Factory," by Patrick Basham, New York Post, December 15, 2010
"Ethanol: Let Protectionism Expire," by Harry de Gorter and Jerry Taylor, National Review (Online), December 8, 2010
Events
"Tricked on Our Treats: Time to Rethink the U.S. Sugar Program," October 30, 2009 [Capitol Hill Briefing]
"Freeing the Farm: A Farm Bill for All Americans," May 23, 2007 [Capitol Hill Briefing]
"Freeing the Farm: A Farm Bill for All Americans," April 26, 2007 [Policy Forum]
"The Future of the European Common Agricultural Policy and Global Trade Liberalization," October 27, 2006 [Policy Forum]
"Changing Course: Why Congress Should Consider a New Direction for U.S. Agriculture Policy," September 21, 2006 [Capitol Hill Briefing]
Speeches and Congressional Testimony
"Testimony by Daniel T. Griswold, Farm Bill Follies," Congressional Testimony, June 6, 2002.
"Testimony by Michael Gough, Endocrine Disrupters, Politics, Pesticides, the Cost of Food and Health," Speech, December 15, 1997.
"Testimony by Michael Gough, Herbicide Exposure: Link to Disease," Congressional Testimony, September 19, 1996.
"The Economic Effects of Significant U.S. Import Restraints," Daniel Griswold, Congressional Testimony, December 4, 2001.
Multimedia
Daniel J. Mitchell discusses food prices on WOR's The John Gambling Show (March 8, 2012) [Media Highlights - Radio, 09:31]
Sallie James discusses farm subsidies on CNBC's The Call (November 15, 2010) [Media Highlights - TV, 07:09]
Sallie James discusses the boycott of Campbell's on CNBC's Street Signs (October 21, 2010) [Media Highlights - TV, 05:06]
Chris Edwards discusses abolishing the USDA on FBN's America's Nightly Scoreboard (February 19, 2010) [Media Highlights - TV, 04:54]
Daniel J. Griswold discusses the price of rice on BNN's Commodities (December 8, 2009) [Media Highlights - TV, 06:14]
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