India challenges WTO panel's ruling in US poultry case to DSB
India has challenged a World Trade Organisation (WTO) panel’s ruling that challenges country’s ban on United States (US) poultry product imports.
In this regard, India has appealed to the Dispute Settlement Board (DSB) of the WTO.
Background
- In 2007, India had banned imports of various agriculture products including poultry meat and eggs from the US. They were banned as a precautionary measure to prevent outbreaks of Avian Influenza.
- In March 2012, US had dragged India to the WTO for banning these products.
- WTO ruling: WTO panel’s ruling in October 2014 in this regard had said that India’s measures are arbitrarily and unjustifiably discrimination on international trade and constitutes a disguised restriction on it.
- US Stance: US also had contended that India’s Avian Influenza measures amounted to an import prohibition was not based on the relevant international standard or on a scientific risk assessment.
- India’s Stance: While, India has claimed that the panel ruling is committed with several legal errors in its interpretation and application of numerous articles of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) agreement.
Why US is focusing on India’s poultry business?
- US is one of the world’s largest exporters of chicken meat. It is looking India as one of its potential markets poultry exports.
- While, in past few years India’s broiler meat consumption has increased and has touched to 3.72 million tonnes in 2014 from 3.45 million tonnes in 2013.
Related Posts
Month: Current Affairs - January, 2015