US goes to WTO over Indonesian farm import rules

The US said Thursday it is requesting consultations at the World Trade Organization over Indonesia's import restrictions on horticultural and animal products. The US argues that Indonesia's use of non-automatic licensing requirements for the import of horticultural and animal products violates the country's commitments under the WTO. The restrictions mean parties who wish to import food or horticultural products must file for certificates from Indonesian authorities. Indonesia also sets import quotas twice a year for animals and animal products, a US Trade Representative statement said. Indonesia recently announced "drastic" reductions in quotas for beef and other animal imports, the statement said. "Indonesia's opaque and complex import licensing system affects a wide range of American agricultural exports. "It has become a serious impediment to US agricultural exports entering Indonesia, reducing Indonesian consumers' access to high-quality US products," said US Trade Representative Ron Kirk. A consultation is the first stage in the WTO dispute resolution process. If the matter is not resolved within 60 days, the US can request a WTO settlement panel.