Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 6/4/15


The World Trade Organization’s Appellate Body today rejected India’s appeal of its ban on U.S. poultry imports.

“We hope that the Indian administration will comply with the ruling and will be amenable to working with the U.S. government and industry to remove all restrictions and allow access for U.S. poultry in the near future, which we estimate would be $300 million a year once India’s restrictions are removed,” the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) and the National Chicken Council (NCC) said in a joint statement.

India placed a ban on U.S. poultry in 2007 to prevent low-pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI). In response, USTR initiated consultations in 2012, refuting India’s claims that LPAI will mutate into a highly pathogenic form of the virus.

“Today’s announcement by the WTO affirms what we’ve said all along — India’s ban was thinly veiled protectionism. This ruling should send a signal other countries that have placed similar bans on U.S. poultry that they are inconsistent with WTO rules and with guidelines established by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE),” USAPEEC and NCC said.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack noted the decision affirms the importance of basing agricultural trade requirements on sound science.

“This is a major win for U.S. agriculture and, in particular, the U.S poultry industry,” he said. “Today, America's poultry producers are being challenged again by an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, and this decision serves to encourage USDA's efforts to maintain open markets for U.S. poultry based on international standards.” 

For more stories, go to www.meatingplace.com.