ASEAN to take Australia to WTO’s proceedings on shrimp ban

06/08/2007 12:00 - 956 Views

ASEAN countries have decided to take Australia to WTO’s proceedings in this October for the application of trade barrier by Australia on ASEAN shrimp product in the form of import ban. If Australia failed in this case, they will have to compensate a huge amount of $430 million every year for ASEAN countries to remain their order.

In July 2008, Australia announced that this country will not allow shrimp imports from ASEAN countries though there was no evidence that these products were infected with any kind of epidemics. In addition, stricter rule will also be applied to tighten their control over this product.

Explaining to this move, the Australia side said that these actions were very necessary to protect their domestic industry from epidemic threat. However, many critics have pointed out the underlying reason is to avoid potential damage from cheaper Asian shrimp.

Previously, Canada also succeeded in similar lawsuit with Australia on salmon imports in 2000.

Kim Dung (according to Channel NewsAsia)
07/08/2007

Source: sgtt