Crean calls on US, EU to cut trade barriers
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Trade Minister Simon Crean has called on the United States and the European Union to open up their farm markets by cutting trade barriers.
Ministers from about 30 countries have been summoned to World Trade Organisation talks in Geneva this week to try to negotiate a deal to remove obstacles to trade in agricultural and manufactured goods.
Speaking on behalf of the Cairns Group alliance of agricultural exporters, Mr Crean says he is hopeful this week's negotiations could lead to an agreement on overhauling unfair farm policies.
He says the talks are the best opportunity in the seven years of the Doha round to conclude the deal, despite questions about whether Washington and Brussels are committed to cutting subsidies and tariffs.
