>Consolidation of the farming sector is an important issue but whether large or small, can US producers hope to compete with more efficient foreign producers without protections and subsidies? What about EU producers?
In a nutshell, yes. Farming is ruled by nature, the seasons, the soil, the sun and the weather. No matter how efficient any country is, crops only grow well in the right conditions.
>FWIW, complete removal of farming subsidies in New Zealand more than 20 years ago led to NZ being one of if not the most efficient farming producer in the world. But a fortunate climate and other advantages had a huge part to play in that.
I live in California. I know all about fortunate climate. :)
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