Brasília, November 14, 2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - A reduction of 10% in the overall level of domestic support given to agriculture by the member countries of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) would lead to a US$ 2.2 billion increase in the international prices of agricultural products, which would benefit producer countries like Brazil. This estimate, made by the OECD itself, is cited by the minister of Agriculture, Pratini de Moraes, in an article published in the latest edition of the "Agricultural Policy Magazine," which circulates quarterly.

In the article, in which he discusses the impact of controlling inflation on the social area and the fight against hunger, Pratini once again criticizes the negative consequences of the rich countries' policies on agricultural commodities, which, together with the restrictions on imports, cost the developing countries US$ 20 billion annually.

Pratini also criticizes the failure of the FAO (UN Food and Agriculture Organization) to counteract the harm inflicted by restrictive and protectionist policies. "If the FAO is really committed to the fight against hunger and poverty, then it should define a strategy that accompanies the agricultural agreements of the World Trade Organization (WTO)," says the minister. (DAS)