U.S. farmers and ranchers won an important trade advantage, as the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled in favor of the U.S. against India’s ban of poultry, eggs and live pigs.
India implemented the agricultural ban in 2007 to prevent avian influenza from making its way into the country, even though the U.S. has not had a case of the high-pathogenic avian influenza since 2004. The only other U.S. outbreak detected since then was low-pathogenic, which does not support an import ban, reports USA Today.
U.S. trade and agricultural officials declared the WTO decision a major victory for American farmers. Our farmers and producers deserve a level playing field—and this dispute reflects that we will accept nothing less, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
The WTO ruling will help U.S. agricultural farmers and ranchers who have been affected by India’s restrictions. The poultry industry estimates U.S. exports to India could jump to more than $300 million annually after the restrictions are lifted.
India has 60 days to appeal the ruling.