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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, June 13, 2002

U.S. Farm Bill to Hurt Australian Farms: Australian PM

Australian Prime Minister John Howard told Congress on Wednesday that a recently approved U.S. farm bill that provides higher subsidies to some American growers will damage Australian farms.


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Australian Prime Minister John Howard told Congress on Wednesday that a recently approved U.S. farm bill that provides higher subsidies to some American growers will damage Australian farms.

"As a true friend, let me say candidly that Australia was intensely disappointed with the passage of the recent farm bill," Howard said in an otherwise upbeat account of U.S.-Australian relations.

The word "intensely" was not included in Howard's prepared remarks to a joint meeting of Congress.

The European Union and Canada have joined Australia and other countries in criticizing the farm bill, which President Bush signed a month ago, saying that it provided a safety net for American farmers. The bill is estimated to cost $190 billion over 10 years.

Australian officials have been studying the legislation to determine whether it is illegal under international rules.

Australia is a member of an 18-nation group of agricultural exporters that do not use production or export subsidies.

Howard, who meets with Bush on Friday, said the United States and Australia could regain momentum in bilateral relations by opening negotiations leading to a free trade agreement.


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