03/11/2017 (Agence Europe) – The European Union explained its concerns to the WTO at the end of October about a 10% discount offered by the Russian authorities to cereals exports from seven regions of Russia in terms of shipping costs via railway, we understand from a source in Geneva. The reduction took effect on 1 October and will run until 30 June 2018, totalling €43.4 million, according to the Russian Agriculture Ministry. The EU wants to know whether this measure complied with WTO members’ commitments to eliminate export subsidies. Russia explained that the measure has a limited geographical scope and will not have much of an impact on the agricultural sector. The EU, the United States, Ukraine and Australia all say they are closely monitoring the matter. (EH)