WTO Sets Aside India’s Ban On US Poultry Products

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has overturned the ban imposed by India on importing poultry from the US. The WTO ruled that India’s stand was “inconsistent with international norms.”

India now has 60 days to appeal against the WTO's dispute settlement panel decision. An Indian official said, "The decision to move to the Appellate Body will be taken after consulting the Animal Husbandry Department."

In 2007, India had banned imports of various agricultural products from the US as in order to prevent outbreak of Avian Influenza in the country.

"India's Avian Influenza (AI) measures are inconsistent with (several articles)....of the SPS (sanitary and phyto-sanitary) Agreement because they are not based on the relevant international standard," the ruling said.

“India’s measures are arbitrarily and unjustifiably discriminate between Members where identical or similar conditions prevail and are applied in a manner which constitutes a disguised restriction on international trade," it added. It also said that the measures were "significantly more trade-restrictive."