The Chinese Commerce Ministry said on Wednesday it is launching an anti-subsidy investigation into certain dairy products imported from the EU from August 21.

The investigation has been launched in response to an application submitted by the Dairy Association of China and the China Dairy Industry Association on behalf of the domestic industry in July, the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said it requested a consultation with the EU government over the probe on August 7, which was held a week later.

The investigation will look into certain dairy products originating from the EU, including fresh cheese, curd and blue cheese for human consumption, and the period to be probed is set between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024.

It will also examine any damage done to related Chinese industries from January 1, 2020, to March 31, 2024, said the Commerce Ministry.

A total of 20 EU subsidies will be investigated, including those from the bloc's Common Agricultural Policy as well as subsidy programs initiated by EU members Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, Ireland and Romania.

The probe is expected to end before August 21, 2025, but may be extended for half a year under special circumstances.

(With input from Xinhua)