At a time of uncertainty on world financial markets and debt weighing down a number of European countries, the Senate today passed a motion calling for the removal of farm subsidy programs in European countries.

It was moved by The Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams who says agricultural subsidies create an unfair playing field.

Senator Williams said Australian farmers are disadvantaged and struggle to compete with subsidised European farmers.

“The debt levels of some European countries are staggering and economies are trying to stay afloat. One of the first things they should do is stop handing out agricultural subsidies to their farmers.

The European Union spends tens of billions of euros on direct farm subsidies each year. Now some of these countries are in serious financial trouble and the time is right to remove such subsidies.

They have cost rural Australia billions of dollars in recent decades. Stopping them now would be good news for our efficient Australian farmers”, Senator Williams said.