US to press for negotiations on shrimp ban case

NEW DELHI, OCT 25: The United States of America is likely to ask India and other Indian Ocean nations to enter into a comprehensive agreement to conserve sea turtles. This is despite a ruling by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) appellate body finding fault with the US in banning shrimp imports from India and three other countries for not using turtle excluder devices (TEDs) during shrimp trawling, industry sources said.

India, on the other hand, would pressurise the US to abide by the WTO ruling.

Ministry sources, when asked, if India would negotiate with the US on TEDs, said they would wait for the US reply to the WTO on the ruling. If the US refuses to abide by the WTO ruling, then India would press for suitable compensation. However, if the US agrees to abide by the ruling, it would have maximum 15 months time to implement the ruling.