Capital Press

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul says he opposes farm subsidies.

"The support programs and the subsidies, that's just a distortion of the markets," he said during a press conference following his appearance. "They're always intended to help the little farmer, but end up helping the big corporations."

There is no provision in the Constitution for the federal government to run such programs, Paul said, so he doesn't support them.

He also sees USDA as a smaller agency mainly responsible for inspecting food imported into the U.S.

Paul spoke Feb. 17 at the Spokane Convention Center before an audience of about 2,300 people.