DESPITE all the campaigning to Make Poverty History, the G8 summit delivered nothing for trade justice.

The eight richest countries failed to commit themselves to any changes in the global trading system toward a more level playing field for developing countries.

There are two key changes needed in the trading system which would greatly reduce poverty in developing countries. First they should be allowed to set tariffs to protect their agricultural products. During the Nineties most were forced to cut tariffs from 30 per cent to only 18 per cent. Their food imports have been rising and many farmers have been forced out of business.

Meanwhile their food exports have stagnated for two decades.

At the same time the EU and the US have been subsidizing many key agricultural products such as sugar, rice, maize, dairy products and poultry. This forces world prices down and, adding insult to injury, some products are "dumped" in poor countries where farmers can't compete and are then driven out of business.

These subsidies are paid for by taxpayers and go primarily to wealthy farmers and agribusiness. For example, the Duke of Marlborough, the 14th richest man in the world, was paid £1 million in subsidies in 2003-04.

During December 13-16 there will be a meeting in Hong Kong where trade ministers will try to make rules on global agricultural trade for decades to come. A mass lobby of Parliament will take place on November 5 to urge MPs to take action to ensure that global trading rules are made fairer to poor countries.

If we are going to "Make Poverty History" this is vital.

Margy Vernon,

Kendal Close,

Dunnington, York.

Updated: 10:25 Wednesday, October 12, 2005