World: Countries challenge India's wheat, rice subsidies at WTO

The United States, Argentina, Australia, Canada and Ukraine have filed a counter-notification with the World Trade Organization (WTO) challenging India’s subsidies for the wheat and rice sectors. The move, led by the US, highlights the Indian government’s lack of transparency regarding the actual levels of support for these commodities. Under WTO rules, India is required to limit its subsidies to 10% of the total value of agricultural production. However, the counter-notification, which is based on data provided by the Indian government itself for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 marketing years, alleges that the country has exceeded this limit. Wheat subsidy programs encourage overproduction, which ultimately discourages the cultivation of other crops and results in excess government stocks. This excess is eventually released into the international market, creating distortions and harming farmers in exporting countries. Vince Peterson, president of US Wheat Associates, praised the efforts ...