Stop-start world trade talks1 August 2006
The world trade talks - plagued in recent months with disagreement and deadlock - were put on hold at the end of July in Geneva.
One of the major blocks to agreement in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks was the refusal of the EU and US to cut farm subsidies. 
Since then, Australia has asked ministers from leading WTO countries to a meeting in Cairns on 20-22 September, in a last ditch effort to save the talks.
However the invite has been turned down by the EU's Agriculture and Trade Commissioners and without their attendance, progress seems unlikely.
Protestors took to water in Geneva during the WTO talks
Some commentators have suggested the talks may not re-start until several years time.
Friends of the Earth is calling for a review of the current trade system and an open debate on its alternatives.
Protestors demonstrate outside the WTO meeting in Geneva
© Friends of the Earth International
