US announces applications for dairy export incentives

US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced initial allocations under the USDA's Dairy Export Incentive Programme (DEIP) for the period July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010.

The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service said the programme helps US dairy exporters meet prevailing world prices and encourages the development of global export markets in areas where US dairy products are not competitive due to subsidised dairy products from other countries.

Vilsack said the US has taken a measured approach in operating the DEIP that is fully consistent with WTO commitments.

He explained that the programme has been implemented to help domestic dairy farmers because US markets have continued to erode and the EU has not shown any indication to refrain from providing dairy export subsidies.