Prof David Spies once again contributes to OECD’s Agricultural Policy Monitoring Report (2025)

The WTO Chairs Programme (WCP) at North-West University is proud to announce that Prof David Spies once again contributes to the OECD’s 2025 Agricultural Policy Monitoring and Evaluation Report—a globally recognised benchmark for assessing agricultural support policies. For several years, Prof Spies has been responsible for contributing the South African component of the report, ensuring that the country’s policy landscape is accurately captured and internationally represented.
The OECD’s annual report evaluates government support measures across 54 countries, offering an in-depth analysis of how agricultural policies influence markets, trade, and welfare. It remains a vital reference for evidence-based policymaking worldwide.
As the global community marks the 30th anniversary of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture, this year’s edition places special emphasis on the interlinkages between trade, agriculture, and the environment. The report highlights how policy choices can strengthen market performance, support food security, and align with sustainable environmental outcomes.
Prof Spies’ ongoing involvement underscores both his expertise in agricultural policy and the strong contribution of the WTO-WCP Chair at NWU to international policy dialogue. His work enhances South Africa’s visibility in global agricultural monitoring efforts and supports the Chair’s mission to advance informed, impactful research.
An outline of the OECD report is available in the attached document.
The WTO-WCP Chair congratulates Prof Spies on his continued and valuable contribution to this internationally significant report.