A legal petition to USA has been filed on 28.12.2012 by Coalition of Gulf Shrimp Industries, for imposition of countervailing duty (CVD) on import of shrimps to USA by seven countries viz. China, Thailand, Vietnam, Ecuador, Indonesia, Malaysia and India. Coalition of Gulf Shrimp Industries claims that subsidies provided by Government of India to the Indian Shrimp Industry provide unfair advantage for Indian shrimp exporters to export shrimps to USA at lower prices. United States Department of Commerce (US DOC) and the United States International Trade Commission (US ITC) are in the process of investigation on the case of Countervailing Duties on export of frozen shrimp from India.

Government of India had consultations with the US DOC on the subject matter and had meeting with USITC on January 14, 2013. Government of India expressed its concerns about the protective regime followed by USA with regard to shrimps, WTO inconsistent actions taken by US Authorities and gross deficiencies in the petition. The ITC hearing in connection with the investigation on 18.01.2013 was also attended by officials of the Government of India.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Commerce & Industry Dr. D. Purandeswari in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

DS/RK

(Release ID :92645)

Countervailing duty investigation on shrimp imports alleging subsidised exports, prompting trade investigations and government consultations. Countervailing duty proceedings were initiated on a petition alleging that government subsidies granted to shrimp exporters conferred an unfair price advantage, prompting anti-subsidy investigations to assess the existence and effect of those subsidies and whether countervailing measures should be applied; exporting-state representatives engaged with investigating authorities and participated in hearings to contest the petition's sufficiency and raise concerns about trade measures and international trade consistency.