Canada has requested that a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement panel be established to solve the issue of U.S. agricultural subsidies, Minister of International Trade David Emerson announced Friday.

"We remain concerned that the U.S. is providing agricultural subsidies in breach of its WTO commitments," Emerson said in a statement.

Canada considers that U.S. subsidies exceed its annual WTO commitments of 19.1 billion U.S. dollars in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005, said the statement.

The United States also provides export credit guarantees that subsidize the exportation of certain agricultural products, it said.

The request comes as U.S. lawmakers draft the next farm bill, and Emerson urged Washington to ensure that its next farm bill complies with WTO rules.

Canada had requested consultations with the United States on the matter in January. Eight other WTO members including the European Union, Australia and others joined the consultations as third parties. The consultations did not resolve the issue.

Source: Xinhua