April 18, 2009

China files WTO complaint over US poultry ban

China on Friday (Apr 17) filed complaints to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) about a US law that effectively bans imports of Chinese poultry products.

China said the US law may violate WTO regulations.

The US Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, prohibits the use of any funds to import poultry products from China.

China's WTO mission said this rule may be inconsistent with the US' WTO obligations, and that it had sent a note to the US mission requesting WTO consultations regarding the law. Related documents have been sent to the WTO.

China reserves its rights to raise further issues and arguments during the course of the consultations, and in any future request for the establishment of a panel, the mission said.