Japanese seafood products. (Photo: Stock File)
WTO panel rules against South Korean ban on Japanese seafood imports
SWITZERLAND
Thursday, October 19, 2017, 01:40 (GMT + 9)
South Korea is considering appealing the World Trade Organization (WTO) panel ruling in favour of Japan over its import restrictions on Japanese seafood after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.
For Tokyo, a victory would mark progress on rolling back restrictions on imports of fish and other seafood from waters off eastern Japan.
The South Korean ban, which Japan claims is unfair under WTO rules, was imposed in 2013. Japan tried and failed to talk the matter out with South Korea in 2015, prompting Tokyo to request the establishment of the dispute resolution panel, Nikkei Asian Review reported.
"We will appeal in accordance with the WTO procedures if (its decision) is considered unfair and affects the government's ability to safeguard the health of our people," South Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ryu Young-jin said in a release.
Under WTO rules, South Korea has 60 days to appeal to an appellate body, which could delay imports of Fukushima-related seafood for another two years during the deliberation period.
South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported that the import ban would stay in place until at least 2019.
A number of other countries have imposed similar restrictions on Japanese seafood for fear of radioactive contamination, so the ruling could have a broader impact.
The initial panel decision against South Korea does not mean that it has to immediately allow a resumption of Japanese seafood imports.
If South Korea also loses in the second review, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) would need to independently formulate and implement specific follow-up measures to honor the decision, including a resumption of imports.
The WTO does not mandate retroactive compensation for damages to petitioner countries’ industries from past import bans.
Related articles:
- Govt to pressure South Korea at WTO on seafood import ban
- Tokyo asks WTO to contest South Korea's fish ban
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