The United States has asked the World Trade Organization (WTO) to act upon India's ban on import of US poultry meat and chicken eggs alleging that the ban is against WTO obligations of the country.

The US representatives have asked the WTO to set up a dispute settlement panel to address the matter. According to US Trade Representative (USTR) Ron Kirk, the US sent its request to the WTO on Monday after discussions with the Indian representatives failed to address US concerns.

India alleges that the ban is relating to controlling the avian influenza. The country says that it has the right to impose an import ban on countries that report low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI). However, Kirk asserted that the Indian regulations are inconsistent with the relevant science, international guidelines as well as the standard set for the country's domestic poultry industry.

"It is essential that US farmers obtain the reliable market access that India agreed to. The United States holds its agriculture industry to the highest standards of safety and is confident the WTO will agree that there is no justification for India's restrictions on US exports," Kirk said.

Kirk's move was welcomed by the National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation and USA Poultry and Egg Export Council.