BackIndia, US trade barbs at WTO dispute settlement
US questions implementation measures announced by India last month for removing avian influenza restrictions
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Geneva: India and the US remained at loggerheads at the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Wednesday, pointing fingers at each other for not implementing the recommendations issued by the dispute settlement body in good faith, according to people familiar with the development.
Washington cast serious doubts over New Delhi’s implementation of the recommendations on the avian influenza-related restrictions on American poultry products, while India charged the US with not complying with the appellate body’s ruling against the US countervailing measures on certain hot-rolled steel flat products from India.
At the dispute settlement body meeting on Wednesday, the US questioned the implementation measures announced by India last month for removing the avian influenza restrictions.
“Under the September 2016 version of India’s measure, however, the United States continues to have concerns that India’s measure may be substantially more trade-restrictive that a measures based on OIE (World Organization for Animal Health)," it said.
“The content of the veterinary certificates that India would require upon the importation of agricultural products is an essential element in understanding India revised measure... India’s Department of Animal Husbandry, however, has removed from its website the veterinary certificates that would be required for the products covered by the dispute," the US said.
Despite its willingness to resolve the dispute amicably with India, the US said “regrettably, however, the US had no notice that the most recent revision to India’s measure was forthcoming. As a practical matter, the parties cannot work together if India fails to communicate with the United States on the revisions to the measures at issue in this dispute."
“Until our concerns are resolved," the US argued, Washington will continue to preserve and enforce its rights under the dispute settlement understanding, implying that it will press ahead with the arbitration proceedings.
India challenged the US position insisting that its revised package of measures announced last month fully complied with the recommendations. While it implemented the ruling in full, the US chose to raise the issue “despite the fact that India is engaging in good faith", India said.
The disputed measures suggested by the US in the avian influenza case are no longer in force, India said.
It urged the US to terminate the arbitration proceedings for imposing retaliatory measures on Indian goods.
In the past, India had suggested referring the issue to a compliance panel to determine whether New Delhi fully complied with the ruling.
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