June 21, 2007	Thursday	Jamadi-us-Sani 05, 1428

GENEVA, June 20: The United States on Wednesday blocked a complaint by Canada at the World Trade Organisation which claims that Washington uses “trade-distorting” farm subsidies on products, such as corn, trade sources said.

Canada filed the claim earlier this month, saying Washington violated WTO commitments on subsidies to a wide variety of crops, including corn, wheat, soybeans, sugar, peas and beans.

In 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005, the US exceeded its WTO commitments on subsidies by billions of dollars each year, Canada said.

The measures at the issue include a broad range of agriculture subsidies and export credit guarantees, Canada added in its filing to the WTO Disputes Settlement Body.

Under the WTO rules, the dispute will automatically be heard by the DSB if Canada renews its complaint.

The US said it was “disappointed” at the Canadian move, and added there was no basis to the claims that its agriculture subsidies were trade-distorting.

“The United States carefully crafted its farm programmes to support US farmers within the negotiated WTO limits on spending.

“The United States has provided support within those limits, and, therefore, consistently with our WTO obligations,” the US representative said.—AFP