Australia-Farm subsidies.

GENEVA.

SUBSIDIES FOR DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Australia and its farm trade allies called on Brussels to repeal its decision to offer subsidies for dairy products leaving Europe.

Trade ambassadors for the Cairns Group-a coalition of 19 countries including Argentina. Australia, Brazil, Canada and Indonesia, said the move by the EU to protect its farmers could in fact prolong the world economic crisis.

Brussels said last week it was going to re-introduce subsidies on butter, cheese whole and skimmed milk powder which have been suspended since 2007.

Responding to the Cairns Group, in a statement from the European Union they sated that the measures were only temporary.