EC drops its ten percent fallow rule for crop farmers

BRUSSELS – The European Commission, the cabinet of the EU, wants crop farmers to stop fallowing any of their acreages because of concerns about possible crop commodity shortages. The EU compels farmers each year to take one tenth of their land out of production. This measure dates from the times it reversed generous subsidy policies for grain and other crops. The EU’s agricultural policies have caused overabundance and depressed prices, which were a drain on its budget. In recent years farmers are increasingly growing crops for bio fuel, which has depleted much of EU’s grain inventory. The EU fears that it may face shortages if the 2008 harvest year shows a poor yield.