August 13, 2007

Vietnam joins WTO suit against Australia shrimp ban

Vietnam is joining other countries from Southeast Asia in October to take before the World Trade Organization Australia's ban on raw shrimp imports from Asia.

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors (VASEP) said the Australian ban would take place by end-September.

The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service earlier announced that antibiotic residue was found in 31 percent of shrimp, fish, and crab imported from Asia.

However, the agency admitted the levels were low and did not pose any health risks.

China and Taiwan have also protested against Australia's quarantine regulations announced in June, saying they were nothing more than non-tariff trade barriers to protect its domestic shrimp farming industry.