WTO rules against Japan on apple restrictions
WTO rules against Japan on apple restrictions
Northwest Fruit Exporters is hoping the latest World Trade Organization ruling that struck down Japan's import restrictions for U.S. apples as scientifically unjustified will hold the key to easing restrictions in other lucrative markets.
"This is a solid victory for the U.S. apple industry," said U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman. The WTO panels clear and well-reasoned decision sets a scientifically based standard to be used by Japan and other countries. Japan has unfairly used unscientific restrictions to block U.S. apple exports for years.
This is an important result for the U.S. apple industry and all exporters, as it advances the adoption of science-based regulations as the international language for the safe trade of agriculture products, said Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns. We look forward to working with our trading partners around the world to ensure that our producers have an opportunity to trade without artificial barriers.
U.S. apples have effectively been banned from the Japanese market for more than 20 years in large part due to Japans fire blight restrictions. In December 2003, WTO sided with U.S. officials and rejected Japans regulations. The June 23 ruling found that Japan failed to go far enough in changing its imported apple regulations after the earlier ruling and continued to bar shipments of healthy fruit from orchards without fire blight and require orchard inspections, orchard buffer zones and additional packing facility rules.
Jim Archer of Northwest Fruit Exporters said that he hopes the decision can open markets in other countries including China, Australia and South Africa, which also restrict shipments of U.S. apples due to concerns about fire blight risk.
It takes away a great deal of justification for keeping these markets closed, said Mr. Archer, who added that New Zealand and U.S. authorities are likely to use the latest ruling to open up Australias apple market. When asked what the windfall will be for U.S. apple producers trying to get into the Japanese market, he replied, Its hard to say, adding that U.S. producers have been shut out so its unclear what the true opportunities will be. In the event that Japan fails to comply with the ultimate recommendations and rulings of the WTO, USTR plans to push WTO to impose $143.4 million a year in trade sanctions.
Were not interested in retaliation measures, said Mr. Archer. We just want the market open.
"This is a solid victory for the U.S. apple industry," said U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman. The WTO panels clear and well-reasoned decision sets a scientifically based standard to be used by Japan and other countries. Japan has unfairly used unscientific restrictions to block U.S. apple exports for years.
This is an important result for the U.S. apple industry and all exporters, as it advances the adoption of science-based regulations as the international language for the safe trade of agriculture products, said Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns. We look forward to working with our trading partners around the world to ensure that our producers have an opportunity to trade without artificial barriers.
U.S. apples have effectively been banned from the Japanese market for more than 20 years in large part due to Japans fire blight restrictions. In December 2003, WTO sided with U.S. officials and rejected Japans regulations. The June 23 ruling found that Japan failed to go far enough in changing its imported apple regulations after the earlier ruling and continued to bar shipments of healthy fruit from orchards without fire blight and require orchard inspections, orchard buffer zones and additional packing facility rules.
Jim Archer of Northwest Fruit Exporters said that he hopes the decision can open markets in other countries including China, Australia and South Africa, which also restrict shipments of U.S. apples due to concerns about fire blight risk.
It takes away a great deal of justification for keeping these markets closed, said Mr. Archer, who added that New Zealand and U.S. authorities are likely to use the latest ruling to open up Australias apple market. When asked what the windfall will be for U.S. apple producers trying to get into the Japanese market, he replied, Its hard to say, adding that U.S. producers have been shut out so its unclear what the true opportunities will be. In the event that Japan fails to comply with the ultimate recommendations and rulings of the WTO, USTR plans to push WTO to impose $143.4 million a year in trade sanctions.
Were not interested in retaliation measures, said Mr. Archer. We just want the market open.
