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WTO decision favors U.S. poultry producers

A World Trade Organization panel has found in favor of the U.S. in challenging India’s ban on poultry-meat, eggs, and live hogs.  India imposed the ban allegedly to protect against avian influenza.  The panel agreed with the U.S. assertion that India’s ban ran counter to some international trade rules, including that it was imposed without sufficient scientific evidence.

U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman calls the ruling a major victory for U.S. farmers.  Froman pointed out that it’s the fourth major WTO victory for the U.S. this year, which, he says, continues to unlock economic opportunity for U.S. farmers, workers and businesses.

The ban was put in place more than seven years ago because India claimed it needed to restrict U.S. poultry-meat, eggs, and live hogs, to prevent entry of avian influenza into India.  U.S. negotiators, on the other hand, argued that the U.S. has not had a high pathogenic avian influenza outbreak since 2004.  During that same period, India has had over 90 high pathogenic outbreaks.  The only other type of avian flu detected in the U.S. since 2004 is low pathogenic avian influenza, which often has no symptoms.  And according to international standards, low pathogenic avian flu carries no scientific basis to ban imports.

The U.S. poultry industry estimates that U.S. exports to India of just poultry meat alone could easily exceed $300 million a year once India’s restrictions are removed.  It’s also believed that figure is likely to grow substantially in the future as India’s demand for high quality protein increases.