Brussels, 29/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - Russian and Ukrainian restrictions continue to rub the EU up the wrong way. Argentina and Indonesia meanwhile have criticised the EU's policy on biofuels.
At the WTO meeting of the committee on trade in goods, which took place on 18 October, the EU again raised concerns about trade restrictions put in place by Russia and Ukraine. Firstly, the EU criticises the Russian embargo on dairy products from Lithuania - an embargo which was set up in mid-September, Russia claiming that there was a “danger for human health”. Like the US, Japan, New Zealand and Ukraine, the EU also criticises Russia's non-respect of its WTO commitments with regard to its recycling fees on vehicles (the EU asked for a special panel to be established to settle this dispute - see EUROPE 10940 and 10950). Russia explained that the Duma has recently approved a law which will apply this fee to all vehicle manufacturers, including national manufacturers. Russia also pointed out that it had joined the information technology agreement (ITA) and that, in line with its commitments, it is undertaking a series of tariff cuts for 5,000 products.
Ukraine is also in the EU's firing line for several grievances - at a time when the provisional application of their bilateral free-trade area is being drawn up. The EU criticises a vehicle recycling fee which exempts national manufacturers. Japan said it shares this concern, despite Ukraine adopting amendments likely to eliminate elements that are incompatible with WTO rules. As it did last July (see EUROPE 10894), the EU also said that it shares Japan's concerns regarding safeguard duties on vehicles - an issue that Japan is threatening to take to the WTO dispute settlement body. The EU also reiterated its concerns about a Ukrainian import quota on coke. Lastly, like a wide range countries, the EU again asked Ukraine to withdraw its demand for tariff renegotiations.
Elsewhere, like Australia and the US, the EU reiterated its concern about Brazil's use of indirect taxation to protect its national industry in various sectors, and its concern about Nigeria's measures demanding local content in the oil and gas sector.
By contrast, the EU is criticised by Indonesia which holds grievances against it for its renewable energy directive. Indonesia believes that this directive discriminates against its exports of palm oil, and Indonesia's concerns are shared by Argentina and Malaysia. In its defence, the EU stated that its certification systems are objective and that non-certified biofuels can be traded freely in the EU.
Lastly, the committee approved the EU's request for a two-year extension of the WTO waiver on its duty-free or preferential trade treatment for Moldova. (EH/transl.fl)