EU rejects Asia-Pacific calls for further cuts on agriculture subsidies

THE European Union yesterday rejected calls by Asia-Pacific countries to make deeper cuts in agricultural subsidies to unblock global trade talks and rescue next month’s World Trade Organisation ministerial meeting in Hong Kong.

Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson accused Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation member states, meeting in South Korea, of ‘finger-pointing’ over Europe’s attitude in world trade talks and reiterated that it has no plans for a new offer on farm aid.

The EU insists its proposals, which have already caused fury among farmers in Ireland who claim they exceed the commission’s negotiating mandate, are enough of a compromise.