WASHINGTON, Nov 3: The US government on Wednesday took action against Turkey at the World Trade Organization in a row over Turkish restrictions on rice imports.

US Trade Representative Rob Portman said Turkey had ignored repeated US complaints over the issue and now the only recourse was WTO arbitration.

“American rice farmers deserve fair access to Turkey’s market,” Portman told the agriculture committee of the US House of Representatives.

“Right now American rice exports are being unfairly restricted. That’s wrong,” he said. “We sincerely hope that Turkey uses the opportunity of WTO consultations to resolve these concerns.”

The United States accused Turkey of using its import licensing requirements to keep foreign rice out. It said that just Tuesday, Turkey reinstituted a measure that reduced duties on rice imports on condition that the importers purchase significant quantities of Turkish rice — in some cases, more than three times the imported amount.

As a result of such restrictions, Portman said, Turkey’s imports of all types of US rice have plummeted by two-thirds since 2003.

The US government says Turkey’s domestic rice market is forecast to be worth more than $200 million in 2006.—AFP