Sussex business leaders said they were not surprised by the latest collapse of the world trade talks in Doha.

With the global economy ever more dependent on trade for economic growth, 2006 is seen as crucial for the world's trading system.

The talks, which began in 2001, have a practical deadline of the end of this year to reach a deal that would open up markets for agriculture, industrial goods and services in rich and developing nations - markets that Sussex producers could exploit.

Mark Froud, chief executive of Sussex Enterprise, said: "There shouldn't be any trade barriers anywhere. They are only there to protect interests that don't need protecting in the UK.

"We have some of the most efficient farming operators in the world, just look at Sussex lamb. It's not in anybody's interest if these talks fail."

After five years, disagreement about agricultural subsidies and tariffs led to the Doha talks to be suspended in Geneva.

Brussels blamed US inflexibility, while the US said Europe failed to match its promises in opening up its markets.

The head of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Pascal Lamy, said developing countries would be the worst hit if the talks failed but added that European consumers would also be hit because prices would remain higher than necessary.

Tony Mernagh, chairman of Brighton and Hove Business Forum, said: "I'm not surprised, I am disappointed.

"The impact on Brighton and Hove is not immediate, nor is it great but the impact on the Third World is considerable. It's disappointing that while we are starting to consider the world in a global context we still can't decide what is fair for all nations. These talks have stalled so many times I think people expected it."

The last WTO ministerial meeting in Hong Kong, in December, made only modest progress towards its goal of free trade.

Trade ministers from 149 countries were unable to decide any definite plans but pledged to come up with a definitive proposal.

However, US President George Bush will lose any "fast-track" authority to ease the passage of a deal through Congress in July 2007.

Analysts feel the chances of any trade deal now rests on each country believing it would make some gains from whatever was on offer.

Jeremy Taylor, chief executive of Sussex and Surrey business group Cadia, said such a stand was only to be expected.

He said: "It's all very well having a global economy but we are all trying to look after our national economies as well.

"The bottom line is that most companies are in business to make money. Most governments are in the business of providing a greater quality of life to their people.

"Still, other nations and other people's lives are no less important. It's a shame if each country has allowed its selfish nature to get in the way of the greater good.

Tuesday, August 1, 2006