Brazil, Canada renew WTO complaints on US farm subsidies

Brazil and Canada have both renewed their complaints against agricultural subsidies by the United States, the World Trade Organisation said on Friday.
Both countries have requested that their complaints be heard at the next meeting of the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on November 19, according to the latest DSB agenda.
Canada first requested DSB mediation over its complaint in June. This was blocked by the US, as is its right under WTO rules, but a second request will automatically see the panel adopt the complaint.
Brazil meanwhile filed its complaint in July. Since then it has been involved in bilateral discussions with the United States, but as these have yet to yield any progress, it is lodging a first panel request at the DSB.
Canada claims Washington violated WTO commitments on subsidies to a wide variety of crops including corn, wheat, soybeans, sugar, peas and beans.
In 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005, the US exceeded its WTO commitments on subsidies by billions of dollars each year, Canada said.
Brazil's complaint covers subsidies over the same period. In 2005, the DSB ruled that US farm subsidies gave US cotton an unfair advantage in the world market, seriously harming Brazil's cotton growers.
"I feel embarrassed because I am not accustomed to seeing such drugs. It is a new thing that we see these products being sold in public after they were almost non-existent before."
According to vendor Saad, the use of sexual stimulants in Iraq is a relatively new phenomenon because they were forbidden during the time of ousted dictator Saddam Hussein.
Only in recent months have they been sold at market stalls instead of more discreetly in pharmacies.
While understanding people's shyness, Saad was also dismissive of it.
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Ahmed Obeid, 38, said he bought sexual stimulants because he was looking for something different.
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Another customer, Abdul Hamid Mohammed, said he found nothing to be embarrassed about in buying sexual stimulants.
"I use them because I am almost 60 years old. I want to practice my private life as I please," he said.
Many simply browse through the goods, saying they can't afford them, and are worried about their side effects or are concerned they have been made by unreliable manufacturers.
"I worry about buying stimulants because of their side effects or that they may cause harm rather than bring benefit," said Majid Ayad, 41.
"I would like to use stimulants frequently but my financial situation prevents me because these drugs are somewhat expensive," said Naeem Abboud, 37.
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