The EC's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) tends to restrict imports of farm produce to that part of demand which is not met by domestic production. The author analyses nature and extent of the problems arising therefrom for the LDCs that are heavily dependent on exports of agricultural goods.

Before the European summit in February 1988, EC agricultural policy was being criticized by almost all those affected. Farmers complained about low incomes and the lack of prospects, consumers and taxpayers about the high cost of agricultural support, politicians about spending commitments that...