There is increasing concern over the effects of import liberalisation on the viability of agriculture, particularly that practised by small farmers of food crops in developing countries.
Such concern has emerged because of the experience of many developing countries undertaking structural adjustment programmes, in which trade liberalisation as well as the withdrawal of the state from an active role in support of farmers, are prominent components of the loan conditionalities of international financial institutions. The situation has been compounded by the commitments that developing countries have taken to reduce their agricultural tariffs under the Uruguay Round. The current negotiations in the World Trade Organisation are expected to oblige developing countries to undertake a further round of agricultural tariff cuts.