Buenos Aires, September 2 (PL-RHC)-- Argentinean Foreign Minister Hector Timerman has praised the World Trade Organization (WTO) decision which favored this country in litigation against the United States for banning imports of Argentinean beef.

The WTO decided in favor of a claim made by Buenos Aires and demanded Washington lift the 12-year-old ban on Argentinean beef trade on the U.S. market.

“It is a great triumph for the country, but it's also a victory for livestock farmers of Argentina, who I'm sure receive the news with joy”, affirmed Timerman at a news conference Tuesday at the Casa Rosada, together with Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Carlos Casamiquela.

After noting that the United States is one of the most protectionist countries in the world, Timerman denounced the banning on imports of Argentinean beef was due to the lobbying of livestock associations and vulture funds, pushing the U.S. Congress to approve the ban.

The WTO ruled the U.S. ban had no scientific justification whatsoever.  The United States prohibited the entry of beef since 2001 when the country resumed vaccination of livestock against foot and mouth disease.

Then, the government with the support of the Institute of Promotion of Argentinean Beef (Ipcva), entity grouping producers and industrialists, took the case to the WTO in 2012.  After different consultations, both countries could not reach an agreement and an organized WTO panel of experts ruled this week in favor of Argentina.

Timerman assured the country will be able to resume meat exports to the U.S. market before the end of the year.  Once the market is officially open, Argentina will be able to export $280 million worth of beef to the United States every year, according to estimates from the Economy Ministry.