The World Trade Organization has ruled against India for its ban on various U.S. agricultural products including poultry, eggs and live pigs. The WTO appellate body ruled India is discriminating against those products in order to protect its own domestic market. Iowa Poultry Association Executive Director, Randy Olson says the decision is a win for U.S. producers.
National Pork Producers President Elect, John Weber is also happy with the ruling which will improve market access going forward.
Officials with the U.S. Trade Representative’s office note that India is allowed up to 15 months to implement the decision or try for arbitration. Then according to WTO rules, India would have to either compensate the U.S., or risk possible retaliation. Weber says it’s good to let that process play out.
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says this WTO decision affirms the importance of basing agricultural trade on sound science.
