By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The United States has voiced fresh concerns at the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding India’s dairy certification requirements for imported milk and milk products. Specifically, the US views the required comprehensive veterinary health certificate, which must verify the absence of various substances, as an unnecessary trade obstacle. The US has emphasized that these requirements should be scientifically justified and minimally restrictive. While the two countries are discussing an interim trade deal, the US has also expressed concerns about India’s recently revised dairy certification, which is scheduled to take effect in November 2024.
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Unnecessary trade barriers: The US’s complaint at the WTO regarding India’s dairy certificate requirements is drawing attention to the complexities of international trade and differing food safety standards. It’s a situation that reveals a lot about how countries prioritize the health of their citizens, economic interests, and the specific needs of their populations.
The core of the issue lies in India’s requirement for comprehensive veterinary health certificates for imported milk and milk products. These certificates must verify the absence of a whole range of potentially harmful substances, including drugs, antibiotics, pesticides, and heavy metal residues. From an Indian perspective, this is simply a matter of ensuring the safety of their food supply. For the United States, however, these requirements are perceived as overly stringent and, therefore, as an unnecessary barrier to trade.
The debate raises a fundamental question: what constitutes an acceptable level of food safety? The US, seemingly, views India’s standards as excessively demanding, implying that their own practices are adequate. However, it is hard to ignore the context. News outlets have reported, that the US has at times suspended testing programs due to workforce cuts. Simultaneously, it is not a secret that the US allows the use of growth hormones in its dairy production. This is the type of practice that India and many other countries, including most of Europe, have chosen to ban. So, while the US may believe its own standards are sufficient, the reality is more nuanced.
This situation isn’t just about dairy; it’s a window into broader differences in agricultural practices. The US allows the use of growth hormones and other substances in its livestock production, a practice that is not universally accepted. Some countries, like India and many in Europe, prioritize a different approach, emphasizing natural farming methods and avoiding certain additives. This philosophical divergence directly impacts trade, as countries with stricter standards may reject products that don’t meet their criteria.
It’s worth noting that the US’s complaints at the WTO are not always well-received. Countries often view demands for looser standards as a thinly veiled attempt to force acceptance of potentially lower-quality products. This is exacerbated by concerns about the US’s own food safety record. Instances of product recalls, foodborne illness outbreaks, and the suspension of safety testing programs erode trust. This brings up the fact that some countries, and their citizens, have more serious concerns about importing American food products.
This issue also highlights the varying levels of protection afforded to domestic industries. Both the US and Canada, for instance, have historically been very protective of their dairy and meat sectors. It seems that the U.S. is more than willing to use the WTO to try and force its way into foreign markets without regard to the existing standards or conditions.
Furthermore, the issue is influenced by cultural and religious sensitivities. In India, dairy products play a significant role in religious rituals and are often a staple in the diet of vegetarians. This means that the sources of dairy products must be reliable, and the products must meet very specific requirements. The US’s production methods, which often involve animal-based feed, simply don’t align with these local preferences, making their products unsuitable for many consumers.
The complexities of international trade are evident in the case of the US’s dairy industry. Trade talks involve more than just economic considerations; they encompass consumer safety, cultural values, and a company’s ability to adapt to different local markets. The US, in this instance, should focus on raising the quality of its food to meet the standards of countries it wishes to trade with.