Total ban on export subsidies essential to WTO talks

WORLDWIDE – Representatives for two-thirds of the world’s dairy trade this month said that the total elimination of dairy product export subsidies is essential to successful negotiations within the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Those pushing for the removal of subsidies included the Global Dairy Alliance (GDA) countries of Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, New Zealand and Australia, and companies from the USA, who are represented by the National Milk Producers Federation, the US Dairy Export Council and the International Dairy Foods Association.

A statement from the group said: “Export subsidies are highly trade-distorting and depress world markets, with particularly harsh effects on dairy industries around the world.”