MALAYSIA/USA: US is abiding by shrimp-turtle ruling, says WTO

Malaysia has failed to persuade the World Trade Organisation (WTO) that the USA
has ignored the rulings of the WTO disputes settlement body with its ban on imports
of shrimp caught while endangering marine turtles.

The US had been told that its ban broke the WTO free trade rules that prevent
restrictions being imposed on the basis of animal welfare concerns. Since then,
the US has been trying to secure a multinational agreement on technology such
as turtle excluder devices and has been promoting their use.

An inquiry sparked by a complaint from Malaysia that the US was flouting the
ruling has concluded that, through its actions, the American government has
been complying with its obligations.

By Keith Nuthall, just-food.com correspondent

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