turkey – measures affecting the importation of rice

Request for Consultations by the United States

            The following communication, dated 2 November 2005, from the delegation of the United States to the delegation of Turkey and to the Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance with Article 4.4 of the DSU.

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            My authorities have instructed me to request consultations with the Government of Turkey pursuant to Articles 1 and 4 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes ("DSU"), Article XXII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 ("GATT 1994"), Article 6 of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures ("Import Licensing Agreement"), Article 8 of the Agreement on Trade‑Related Investment Measures ("TRIMs Agreement"), and Article 19 of the Agreement on Agriculture ("Agriculture Agreement") with respect to Turkey's import restrictions on rice from the United States. 

            Under Turkey's import regime for rice, Turkey requires an import license to import rice.  However, Turkey fails to grant licenses to import rice at the bound rate of duty.  In addition, Turkey operates a tariff‑rate quota for rice imports requiring that in order to import specified quantities of rice at reduced tariff levels, importers must purchase specified quantities of domestic rice, including from the Turkish Grain Board (TMO), Turkish producers, or producer associations ("the domestic purchase requirement").