US Ban on Argentinian Meat Incompatible With WTO Laws - Source

A World Trade Organization (WTO) panel ruled that the 14-year-long US ban on Argentinian meat is incompatible with WTO provisions on sanitary and phytosanitary measures, a source familiar with the matter told RIA Novosti on Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — In 2001, the United States introduced a ban on Argentinian beef after an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the South American country.

Earlier in July, the United States announced a lifting of the ban. The decision will take affect September 28.

Last year, a WTO dispute panel was established to rule whether the ban was legal under global trade laws. Buenos Aires repeatedly complained that the restrictions were illegal under WTO regulations.

Argentine accused Washington of numerous delays in considering Buenos Aires’ requests.

The United States replied it was ready to defend its position in the WHO.

Washington had long refused to recognize Argentine's Patagonia region as being free from FMD while in 2002 the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) confirmed the territory virus-free. Last year, Washington allowed meat exports from the region.