Australia-Japan rice row

Australia-Japan rice row

SYDNEY (DPA): Talks between Australia and Japan aimed at averting a row over rice tariffs broke down on Monday, officials said.

The meeting in Canberra between Trade Minister Tim Fischer and Japanese counterpart Kaoru Yosano failed to break the impasse over a 390 percent tariff Japan plans to apply to non-quota imports of rice Vrom April 1.

Fischer said Australia would now make a formal complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO). "Australia is far from satisfied with the level of the tariff Japan is proposing on out- of-quota imports," Fischer said.

Japan bowed to WTO pressure to give foreign producers a share of its rice market but Australia has fulfilled its quota. From April 1 any additional rice shipments will have the 390 percent tariff slapped on.