Canada has taken its challenge of US agricultural subsidies to the World Trade Organisation, requesting on Friday a dispute settlement panel be established in the case. "We remain concerned that the US is providing agricultural subsidies in breach of its WTO commitments," Canadian Trade Minister David Emerson said in a statement.
"Requesting a dispute settlement panel reinforces our efforts in the Doha negotiations toward reducing trade-distorting US subsidies." Ottawa said Washington's help to farmers exceeded WTO limits of $19.1 billion annually in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2001, 2004 and 2005. Canada took the next step in the dispute after requesting consultations in January over subsidies for corn and other farm products. Eight other countries had joined the consultations as third parties.