With the Trade Minister off at the World Trade Organisation meeting in Abu Dhabi, there’s been a call for an immediate capping of agricultural subsidies. 

This, along with an urgent request to reduce them, aims to prevent and correct production and trade distortion. 

Adjunct Professor at Lincoln University, Dr Jacqueline Rowarth, told Mike Hosking that subsidies stop innovation. 

She said that back in 1985 sheep farmers were receiving subsidies of about 42%, which was where their income was coming from. 

Once the subsidies stopped and the industry had a major rethink, Rowarth said, it’s been the most innovative sector in the country. 

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