WTO rules for U.S. in India trade dispute
A World Trade Organization ruling Tuesday could help U.S. farmers increase exports to India.
India violated numerous trade rules when it banned imports of American poultry, meat, eggs and live pigs, the World Trade Organization ruled Tuesday in a victory for U.S. farmers.
The trade panel struck down a 2007 agricultural ban put in place by India to prevent avian influenza from making its way into the country even though the United States has not had a case of the high-pathogenic avian influenza since 2004. The only other U.S. outbreak detected since then was low-pathogenic, which does not support an import ban.
The WTO ruled India breached numerous international trade rules, including imposing the ban without adequate scientific evidence.
The United States challenged the ban in March 2012.
The WTO ruling would help U.S. agricultural producers, including Iowa, the nation’s largest egg producer, that have been affected by India’s restrictions. The poultry industry estimates U.S. exports to India could jump to more than $300 million annually after the restrictions are lifted. India has 60 days to appeal the ruling.
“Iowa and U.S. farmers want a level playing field for international trade and we are confident that the WTO dispute resolution process provides an avenue for that to happen,” Miller said. “We want all WTO members to abide by the rules that have been established and to avoid using arbitrary, non-scientific claims to prevent competition.”
Source: Usatoday-WTO rules for U.S. in India trade dispute
