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GENEVA - The World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Monday launched an investigation of Australia's apple import rules on New Zealand's request, in the first WTO-brokered dispute between the Oceanic neighbours.
Both New Zealand and Australia have tough controls on agricultural imports to protect their island eco-systems. But New Zealand has said Australia's sanitary regulations on apples are not scientifically justified and violate world trade rules.
Diplomats at the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body agreed on Monday to set up an investigative panel after New Zealand asked for a second time for it to be established.
Australia last month invoked its right to block New Zealand's first-time request for a panel, saying talks between the two countries were the best way to settle the dispute.
"We, too, regret that bilateral discussions on the specific matters described in our panel request have up to now not resulted in a mutually agreeable solution to our concerns," New Zealand said in its submission to the Dispute Settlement Body.
Japan, the United States, Chile, the European Union and Taiwan, known as Chinese Taipei at the WTO, all signed on as third-party observers to the case.
- REUTERS
