"Today’s finding by the World Trade Organization in favor of the United States in the Turkey rice dispute is great news for American rice producers. Turkey is a key market for U.S. rice and we felt strongly that Turkey’s system for granting import licenses violated the country’s international trade commitments. These unfair trade barriers had a significant effect on U.S. rice exports to Turkey—causing them to drop 74-percent from 2005 to 2006, from almost $34 million to $9 million.

"It is gratifying to see industry and government efforts result in a positive outcome. We look forward to working in cooperation with Turkey to implement the WTO Panel finding and to resume our mutually beneficial trade relationship."

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USDA Release No. 0259.07
FAS PR 0106-07
Contact: Keith Williams (202) 720-4623