ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, U.S. — The American Soybean Association (ASA) said on March 7 that it supports the U.S. poultry industry in its challenge of India’s prohibition on imports of U.S. poultry.

The Office of U.S. Trade Representation (USTR) will challenge India’s prohibition with the initiation of dispute settlement proceedings before the World Trade Organization (WTO).

“ASA stands firmly beside our industry colleagues at the U.S. Poultry and Egg Export Council, the National Chicken Council and the National Turkey Federation as USTR seeks to open the Indian market to U.S. poultry exports,” said ASA President Steve Wellman. “Animal agriculture is the soybean industry’s largest customer, and over 90% of U.S. soybeans produced are used as a high-quality protein source for animal feed. If the barriers to U.S. poultry exports to India were eliminated, those exports would top $300 million per year, meaning a dramatic increase in demand for soybean meal as poultry feed. We will continue to monitor these developments and encourage an outcome that is in the best interest of American farmers.”