WTO협정, 주요국 농업보조금 현황과 과제

WTO Agreements, Agricultural Subsidies of Major Countries and Challenge

Many countries try to secure agricultural sector for its multifunctional advantage. My objective is to find whether agricultural subsidy is unnecessary as some insist. To do so, I first discuss legal definition of subsidies and the main differences between Agriculture Agreement and Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM). Korean agricultural subsidy policy was studied where substantial amount of money were invested. Some countries like the US and EU also in the process of increasing agricultural subsidies in various ways. The case studies show how the US and Korea deal their disputes on agricultural subsidy. Recent development on agricultural subsidy issue were reviewed and it was found that agricultural subsidy for Korea should not be reduced nor neglected since every nations try to increase their agricultural subsidies despite WTO agreement has set limits. DDA (Doha Development Agenda) Negotiation was not concluded last year though it was studied for 15 years. Most recent DDA forum discussed wider reform in agricultural subsidy area, which means Koreahas to prepare New Negotiation where Korea may be treated as a developed nation and be ready to make new agricultural policy. Otherwise, Korea may retard agricultural development while others promote.