NCC stated that if press reports are true, the WTO panel’s findings are out of touch with facts in the world cotton market.
"US actions already taken to comply with the first WTO Panel ruling have had a significant impact on US cotton and US cotton producers," NCC said. "Since Congress eliminated cotton’s Step 2 program, US cotton acreage is down 28% for 2007; US exports have declined significantly; and US production is predicted to be only around 17 million bales in 2007, the lowest since 2002. It cannot be argued any payments under domestic support programs are causing any country serious prejudice in 2007."
"Es incomprensible que un panel de la OMC pueda llegar a una conclusión de perjuicio grave contra los EE. UU. cuando el mercado internacional del algodón es fuerte; la extracción superará la producción; los precios mundiales están altos; y la superficie cultivada aumenta en casi todo el mundo, excepto en los Estados Unidos, ", dijo NCC.
Una vez que los detalles estén claros, se espera que Estados Unidos apele las conclusiones de la OMC.