The Perfect Storm: The Political Economy of the Fischler Reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy

THE PERFECT STORM: THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF THE FISCHIER REFORMS OF THE COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY, Johan F. M. Swinnen, ed., CEPS Paperbacks; Brussels, 2008

192 Pages Posted: 26 Jan 2009

See all articles by Johan F. M. Swinnen

Johan F. M. Swinnen

KU Leuven - Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance (LICOS); European Commission, DG II

Christophe Crombez

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Wyn Grant

University of Warwick - Department of Politics and International Studies

Christian H. C. A. Henning

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Timothy E. Josling

Stanford University - The European Forum, Institute for International Studies

Rolf Moehler

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Alessandro Olper

Università degli Studi di Milano; KU Leuven - Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance (LICOS)

Corrado Pirzio-Biroli

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Jan Pokrivcak

Slovak University of Agriculture - Department of Economics

Barbara Syrrakos

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: September 29, 2008

Abstract

For decades, the Common Agricultural Policy came in for a significant amount of criticism for consuming a disproportionate share of the EU budget, introducing market distortions, wasting government funds and contributing to rural inequities. Nevertheless, it survived many attempts to abolish it, and acquired a reputation for being virtually impossible to reform in any meaningful way. However, during the tenure of Franz Fischler as European Commissioner for Agriculture from 1995 to 2004, the most radical reform in the history of the CAP was implemented.

This book is the first to review the reforms that were implemented, to analyse how they came about and to explain which forces made them possible. It brings together perspectives from inside and outside the policy community, including from those closely involved in the policy debates, and an interdisciplinary perspective from economists and political scientists. The authors are senior policy-makers and well-respected academics. The book gives some fascinating insights into what made the reforms possible, offers useful conclusions on what this implies for future attempts at reform and finally, addresses the question of whether the Fischler reforms 'scrapped the CAP' or saved it.

Keywords: Agricultural agreements

Suggested Citation

Swinnen, Johan F.M. and Crombez, Christophe and Grant, Wyn and Henning, Christian H.C.A. and Josling, Timothy E. and Moehler, Rolf and Olper, Alessandro and Pirzio-Biroli, Corrado and Pokrivcak, Jan and Syrrakos, Barbara, The Perfect Storm: The Political Economy of the Fischler Reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy (September 29, 2008). THE PERFECT STORM: THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF THE FISCHIER REFORMS OF THE COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY, Johan F. M. Swinnen, ed., CEPS Paperbacks; Brussels, 2008, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1333090

Johan F.M. Swinnen (Contact Author)

KU Leuven - Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance (LICOS) ( email )

Waaistraat 6
Leuven, B-3000
Belgium

European Commission, DG II ( email )

Wetstrath 200
Office 15172
1049 Brussels
Belgium
+32-2-2960442 (Phone)
Not available (Fax)

Christophe Crombez

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Wyn Grant

University of Warwick - Department of Politics and International Studies ( email )

Coventry CV4 7AL
United Kingdom
024 7652 3720 (Phone)

Christian H.C.A. Henning

affiliation not provided to SSRN

No Address Available

Timothy E. Josling

Stanford University - The European Forum, Institute for International Studies ( email )

Encina Hall C100
616 Serra Street
Stanford, CA 94305
United States
650-723-3438 (Phone)
650-723-4811 (Fax)

Rolf Moehler

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Alessandro Olper

Università degli Studi di Milano ( email )

Via Celoria, 2
Milano, 20133
Italy
+390250316481 (Phone)
+390250316486 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://users.unimi.it/olper/

KU Leuven - Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance (LICOS) ( email )

Waaistraat 6 - box 3511
Leuven, 3000
Belgium

Corrado Pirzio-Biroli

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Jan Pokrivcak

Slovak University of Agriculture - Department of Economics

Barbara Syrrakos

affiliation not provided to SSRN

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