Wheat

Abstract

Internal American agricultural policies as they affect wheat have been determined far too independently of the requirements of sound foreign economic policy. Public Law 480, which was passed to dispose of surpluses, particularly wheat surpluses, has not only tended to disrupt normal com mercial trade but has also, mainly because of its temporary nature, failed to be as beneficial to underdeveloped countries as it could have been. To establish a sound wheat program, it is necessary to define the quantities of wheat needed by the underdeveloped countries. Since the amount of wheat required annually for other uses of wheat is known, the determination of the underdeveloped countries' needs would establish the mag nitude of adequate internal supply control measures. Maxi mum use of surplus wheat to foster sound economic develop ment programs can be encouraged by changing existing legisla tion to allow for the collection of more adequate information concerning the quantities of surplus wheat needed in the years ahead, longer-term surplus-utilization agreements, closer co ordination between aid in the form of surplus wheat and other financial aid, and the limitation of surplus utilization to coun tries in genuine need. Only when these changes are made will the wheat program in the United States fit the requirements of sound foreign economic policy.