May 10,2004

Grassley on European Union Interest in Eliminating Export Subsidies

M E M O R A N D U M

To: Reporters and Editors
Re: European Union on farm export subsidies
Da: Monday, May 10, 2004

Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, today made the followingcomment on the European Union trade commissioner’s remarks on eliminating export subsidies.

“I’m pleased that the European Union is coming around to support the elimination of allexport subsidies. The United States has long sought the elimination of these subsidies. Getting theEuropean Union’s backing for this idea is a good step forward. Export subsidies are the most tradedistortingof all support measures, and producers outside of Europe, including Iowa farmers, aresuffering on account of the European Union’s extensive use of them. I strongly hope that WTOnegotiations will result not only in an agreement to eliminate export subsidies, but also in a firm datefor their elimination.”