EU, Thailand to join Philippines in WTO meeting with Australia
EU, Thailand to join Philippines in WTO meeting with Australia
Dow Jones, Manila
The European Union (EU) and Thailand will join the Philippines in its formal consultations with Australia on fruit trade scheduled to commence Nov. 15 before the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Department of Agriculture said Tuesday.
The Philippines earlier requested the WTO's dispute settlement board, or DSB, for bilateral consultations with Australia following Canberra's rejection of Manila's bid to export its fresh tropical fruits to Australia.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary Segfredo Serrano said the E.U. and Thailand have also the option of filing their own complaints against Australia before the DSB if their concerns aren't addressed.
The consultation is a prerequisite for the eventual filing of dispute settlement proceedings against Australia.
The Philippines had specifically requested for consultations regarding Canberra's quarantine rules and relevant legislation governing import of fresh fruits and vegetables.
"We will pursue the filing of a case against Australia if our concerns over their quarantine rules are not properly addressed," Serrano told reporters.
Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Montemayor also said that two major dairy-importing firms in the country are scouting for other sources of their dairy imports which they traditionally get from Australia.
Montemayor refused to divulge the identity of the two firms but said the department is assisting them in seeking other sources of dairy imports.
The Philippines imports about 99 percent of its annual dairy requirement, about 40 percent of which come from Australia.
Montemayor also wouldn't comment on suggestions that such a move is in retaliation over Australia's refusal to import Philippine fresh tropical fruits.
Montemayor earlier said local beef importers are also eying alternative sources of cattle and beef imports. The country imports about 200,000 heads of cattle from Australia annually.
Serrano said the EU and Thailand last week formally informed Philippine Permanent Representative to WTO Edsel Custodio of their intention to join the country in its discussions with Australia.
The consultations may be completed within the year after which the Philippines as well as the EU and Thailand will decide as to whether or not they, as individual countries, will file a formal complaint against Australia, Serrano said.
According to Serrano, the results of the discussions will be forwarded to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who will have to make the final decision about the filing of a case against Canberra.