Main Policy Developments in 2002

This chapter highlights major changes or new initiatives that occurred in agricultural policy in OECD countries in 2002. Details of these may be found in the country chapters that follow. The year 2002 saw several significant policy developments, notably the United States’ Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (2002 Farm Act) and the proposals for the reform of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). EU enlargement plans and preparations for the next WTO round saw some progress in 2002, but their potential impact on agricultural policy is uncertain. Environmental issues and organic production continued to receive increased attention by governments, which are showing an increasing desire to look at agricultural policy in a broader and more integrated context of environment, food safety, structural adjustment, rural development and other issues.