China investigates EU subsidies for dairy products

The Chinese investigation focuses on European subsidies for a range of dairy products, including fresh and processed cheese, blue cheese, milk and cream, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said. A total of 20 EU subsidy programmes are being investigated, including the Common Agricultural Policy and national subsidy schemes in Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Italy, Croatia, Finland, Romania and the Czech Republic. The investigation will last for a year but can be extended by up to six months "under special circumstances", the ministry said. The European Commission has taken note of the Chinese investigation and plans to "vigorously defend the interests of the EU dairy industry". If necessary, the commission will intervene to ensure that the investigation complies with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules. China has already appealed to the WTO against the EU's increase in import tariffs on plug-in cars. New Zealand China imports dairy products from countries including the Netherlands and ...