Indo-EU talks in WTO next month

NEW DELHI, Nov 19: India and the European Union EU are to initiate formal talks next month in the WTO on India8217;s alleged misuse of health, safety, environmental, plant and animal protection considerations to restrict imports. Such consultations, if they do not yield an amicable solution, can lead to the constitution of a WTO disputes settlement panel whose ruling is binding. The E C8217;s director for WTO affairs, Herve Jouanjean, today cited a list of some 600 imports that India restricts on grounds of health, safety, etc, allowed under Article XX of GATT.