The CAP and its impact on the third world

In the context of the extreme pressure upon the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), this Briefing Paper assesses whether the various reform proposals are in the interests of developing countries (LDCs). The paper notes, in conclusion, that LDCs tend to be relatively weak in their bargaining with the European Economic Community (EEC). It argues that if European policy makers are forced by budgetary or external pressure to take difficult decisions, there will be a tendency for the burden of adjustment to be transferred whenever possible on to LDCs because they cannot retaliate effectively.