The New York Times-20080124-Challenge To Farm Subsidies- -Brief-

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Challenge To Farm Subsidies; [Brief]

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A European Union leader broke new ground in challenging one of the blocs most sacred cows, arguing that the need for agricultural subsidies was evaporating in light of rising demand and prices for farm products globally. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany of Hungary, above, set the scene for a vigorous debate by linking rising long-term commodity prices and the need to scale back agricultural spending. The argument, later backed by Tony Blair, the former prime minister of Britain, opened a new front in the battle over the 56 billion euros ($82 billion) that is spent each year by the union to support its farmers. It comes before a review of the union's spending priorities that could pave the way for a shift away from agriculture.

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