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WTO hearings on U.S.-India poultry dispute to begin this week
Story Date: 7/23/2013
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Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 7/22/13
The World Trade Organization this week will hold its first hearing on a dispute between the United States and India over last year’s ban on U.S.-produced poultry suspected of carrying low pathogenic avian influenza.
U.S. officials protested India’s decision to restrict U.S. chicken legs because the move was not based on scientific, international or India’s own standards regarding avian flu. Indian agriculture officials argue that their stance is based on scientific standards, but the WTO dismissed India’s request to dismiss the U.S. complaint, opening the door for a hearing that’s scheduled to begin July 24.
The hearing will establish whether India can continue restricting U.S. chicken legs following delays stemming from disagreements over the composition of the panel. Both sides will present their arguments and answer the panel’s questions and are expected to follow similar procedures at a second hearing at the end of the year. After the panel issues a draft report, the two sides will respond and the panel is expected to announce its final ruling.
There currently is no ban on U.S. poultry being brought into India, but import restrictions could be reinstated if an avian flu outbreak occurs at any U.S. poultry farm. The potential market for U.S. poultry in India is estimated at more than $300 million annually, according to U.S. poultry industry experts.
For more stories, go to http://www.meatingplace.com/.
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