AP: WTO Panel Ruling Against EU Hormone Ban To Be Made Public
AP: WTO Panel Ruling Against EU Hormone Ban To Be Made Public
The World Trade Organization (WTO) will publish a panel ruling against the European Union next week on its ban on imports of U.S. beef produced with the aid of growth promotants, according to the Associated Press. The panel’s ruling rejects the EU’s claim that it properly assessed any risks in the use of hormones.
“We wait with great interest to see if this report is true,” said John Brook, USMEF Europe Regional Director, “Both parties have had this ruling since late last year but there has been no indication that the findings would be made public at this stage.”
Japan
Japan Lowers Gross Weight Limit For Trucks Carrying 20-Foot Containers
Effective April 1, Japan will restrict gross weight for biaxial chassis vehicles carrying 20-foot containers to 20,320 kilograms, instead of the current 24,000 kilograms. The weight limit for transport of 40-foot containers remains unchanged at a gross weight of 30,480 kilograms.
Although the refrigerated containers used to transport U.S. red meat to Japan are seldom used after delivery to bonded storage warehouses, some of these warehouses are as much as 30 miles from Tokyo, Osaka or the port of Kobe and thus travel on public roads.
USMEF-Japan is discussing compliance with the new laws with the Japan Meat Traders Association, importers and USMEF members.
Diet Likely To Pass Last-Minute Vote On Retaining Import Duty Levels
A last-minute vote which will keep import duties unchanged is expected to pass the Japanese Diet. The controversial gas tax has been unlinked from the bundle of taxes that includes special duty rates (called bound rates) for imported beef and pork. The bundle was passed by the Lower House last week and is likely to be approved by the Upper House on Monday, the last day of Japan’s fiscal year. If this approval happens, the three ministries involved will instruct their offices to continue the current import system on Tuesday (April 1).
As USMEF reported last week, the vote, which involves more than 110 pieces of legislation and affects at least 280 agricultural products, was held up by the main opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). The DPJ, which controls the legislature’s upper house, objected to a 25 yen per liter gas tax to fund road and infrastructure work because of its impact on food prices.
AP: WTO Panel Ruling Against EU Hormone Ban To Be Made Public
The World Trade Organization (WTO) will publish a panel ruling against the European Union next week on its ban on imports of U.S. beef produced with the aid of growth promotants, according to the Associated Press. The panel’s ruling rejects the EU’s claim that it properly assessed any risks in the use of hormones.
“We wait with great interest to see if this report is true,” said John Brook, USMEF Europe Regional Director, “Both parties have had this ruling since late last year but there has been no indication that the findings would be made public at this stage.”
Japan
Japan Lowers Gross Weight Limit For Trucks Carrying 20-Foot Containers
Effective April 1, Japan will restrict gross weight for biaxial chassis vehicles carrying 20-foot containers to 20,320 kilograms, instead of the current 24,000 kilograms. The weight limit for transport of 40-foot containers remains unchanged at a gross weight of 30,480 kilograms.
Although the refrigerated containers used to transport U.S. red meat to Japan are seldom used after delivery to bonded storage warehouses, some of these warehouses are as much as 30 miles from Tokyo, Osaka or the port of Kobe and thus travel on public roads.
USMEF-Japan is discussing compliance with the new laws with the Japan Meat Traders Association, importers and USMEF members.
Diet Likely To Pass Last-Minute Vote On Retaining Import Duty Levels
A last-minute vote which will keep import duties unchanged is expected to pass the Japanese Diet. The controversial gas tax has been unlinked from the bundle of taxes that includes special duty rates (called bound rates) for imported beef and pork. The bundle was passed by the Lower House last week and is likely to be approved by the Upper House on Monday, the last day of Japan’s fiscal year. If this approval happens, the three ministries involved will instruct their offices to continue the current import system on Tuesday (April 1).
As USMEF reported last week, the vote, which involves more than 110 pieces of legislation and affects at least 280 agricultural products, was held up by the main opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). The DPJ, which controls the legislature’s upper house, objected to a 25 yen per liter gas tax to fund road and infrastructure work because of its impact on food prices.