51.   But reducing the subsidy is very sensitive to political developments.

52.   Estrada hopes to use privatization receipts to make up for shortfalls in tax revenues and also reduce costly subsidies to often inefficient state-controlled companies.

53.   Farmers have held a series of protests this year against imported food and reduced subsidies under the government reforms.

54.   Food subsidies were reduced and farmers were paid more for the grains, pushing up prices still further, the newspaper said.

55.   Global agricultural prices are expected to increase once major agricultural export countries reduce subsidies.

56.   However, Maurer said the EU was on target to reduce government subsidies to producers.

57.   His critics charge that Ramos has cut support programs for the poor and reduced other subsidies.

58.   In addition, the Caribbean sugar industry also is threatened because the European Union is under pressure to reduce subsidies to its farmers.

59.   Indonesia is committed under its agreement with the International Monetary Fund to reduce subsidies as part of a reform program to overcome its worst economic crisis in decades.

60.   It is also unlikely the United States or European countries will drop trade barriers or reduce subsidies to their farmers, as many wish.