USTR CRITICAL OF VENEZUELA’s AGRICULTURAL IMPORT LICENSING

USTR CRITICAL OF VENEZUELAÆS AGRICULTURAL IMPORT LICENSING    The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has asked the industry for comments regarding Venezuela’s agricultural import licensing measures, which the agency believes are inconsistent with World Trade Organization guidelines.
   Venezuela has established import licensing requirements for numerous agricultural products, such as corn, sorghum, dairy products, grapes, yellow grease, poultry, beef, pork and soybean meal. To import any of these products, an importer must obtain a license in accordance with Venezuelan procedures.
   “Venezuela’s import licensing system for all of these agricultural products appears to establish a discretionary import licensing regime,” the USTR said.
   “Through its import licensing practices, Venezuela has also failed to establish a transparent and predictable system for issuing import licenses and has severely restricted and distorted trade in these goods,” the agency said.
   On Nov. 7, the United States requested consultations with Venezuela under the WTO Marrakesh Agreement. Venezuela met with the United States on Nov. 26.
   The United States, under the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, requires a comment period from the affected industry during the consultation phase. Comments may be filed to Sandy McKinzy of the USTR's Monitoring and Enforcement Unit by e-mail at FR0057@ustr.gov. McKinzy may also be reached by phone, (202) 395-3581, or fax, (202) 395-3640.
   If the consultations fail to resolve this matter, a dispute settlement panel is created and meetings will be held at the WTO’s headquarters in Geneva. The panel would be expected to issue a report on its findings and recommendations within six to nine months after it’s established.