USTR Asks for WTO Consultations with India on Poultry & Eggs
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced on March 6, 2012 that the U.S. Government requested consultations with the Government of India under the dispute settlement provisions of the World Trade Organization (WTO) concerning India’s prohibition on certain American agricultural exports, including poultry meat and chicken eggs.
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USTR states that, since at least February of 2007, India has formally banned imports of various agricultural products from the United States, supposedly to prevent outbreaks of avian influenza in India. According to the USTR, the U.S. has repeatedly asked India to justify its claim that a ban is necessary, and to date, India has not provided valid, scientifically-based justification for the import restrictions.
(Consultations are the first step in the WTO dispute settlement process and parties are encouraged to agree to a solution at this stage. If the matter is not resolved through consultations, the United States may request the establishment of a WTO dispute settlement panel.)
USTR Press release (dated 03/06/12) here.
USDA Secretary's statement (dated 03/06/12) available here.