The World Trade Organisation is to investigate Indian restrictions on US poultry imports, which Washington has claimed are “unscientific”.

In a meeting on Monday (25 June), the WTO accepted the US’s request for a dispute settlement panel on India’s ban on imports of poultry meat and chicken eggs from the country.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

In March, the US asked for talks at the WTO on the ban, which was introduced in 2007 due to fears over avian influenza. Last month, the US tabled a request for taking the case to court, which was approved at the meeting on Monday.

“At the meeting of the WTO member governments in March, they discussed this request [by the US] and India blocked it. They are allowed to do this once. The US then put this request on the agenda of the next meeting which took place on Monday,” a spokesperson for the WTO told just-food.

“The second time a government requests a panel of judges to examine their complaint it is automatically granted, nobody can block it. The case has now moved to the litigation stage.”

See Also:

The spokesperson said the panel will have a maximum of nine months to conclude its work and to submit its recommendations and findings.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The panel, the spokesperson said, comprises three “independent individuals/experts (not members) who are selected by the parties to the dispute”.

Washington has always claimed the ban is “unjustified”. It says there has not been an outbreak of high pathogenic avian influenza since 2004. Low pathogenic avian influenza has been detected in the US since then although Washington claims that is no basis for the ban.