WTO upholds ruling that Japan restricts U.S. apple imports

WTO upholds ruling that Japan restricts U.S. apple imports    A World Trade Organization appellate body upheld an earlier panel decision that Japan unfairly restricts U.S. apple imports.
   The United States requested a WTO dispute settlement in March 2002, resulting in a panel finding in July that agreed with all major U.S. positions. The current ruling responds to Japan’s appeal in August of the earlier WTO panel finding.
   U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick applauded the WTO’s decision. “We’ve seen others around the world block our exports with non-science-based barriers, such as in Europe with beef and biotech products, and so this decision will help us in our efforts to make sure American farmers are treated fairly,” he said.
   According to the USTR, U.S. farmers export more than $390 million of apples overseas each year. Japan, however, limited U.S. apple imports to $377,000 in 2001, citing the alleged risk of spreading fire blight. The USTR said there’s no scientific proof that fire blight can be spread by mature apples.