Brussels, Jan 28 - The European Commission said on Wednesday its decision to offer subsidies for dairy products leaving the European Union would be temporary and not affect world prices.
"This decision does not in any way affect our overall commitment to the elimination of export subsidies as part of Doha (trade talks)," the EU executive, which oversees trade for the 27-member bloc, said in a statement to Reuters.
The Commission was responding to a call by trade ambassadors from the Cairns Group -- a coalition of 19 countries including Brazil, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada and Indonesia -- to reverse its decision.
"The reaction of our trading partners, in particular dairy exporters, highlights the value of the concessions we are ready to make as part of a global (trade) deal."