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.
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.
