Colombia's National Federation of Cattle Ranchers (Fedegán) stated that the government's proposed decree to set quotas on exports of two-year-old live steers is 'viciated by illegality'. The group argues it breaches the GATT and exposes the state to lawsuits. The measure sets a maximum quota of 66,700 units for six months.
Through a statement, Fedegán stated that Article 3 of the proposed decree sets “a maximum export quota of sixty-six thousand seven hundred (66,700) units of live domestic male bovines under two (2) years old, classified under tariff subheading 0102.29.90.21, which will be valid for six (6) months from the entry into force of this decree”.
Fedegán president José Félix Lafaurie Rivera argued that the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) expressly prohibits quantitative restrictions on exports. "By ratifying this agreement, Colombia acquired the inescapable legal and international obligation to refrain from quantitatively limiting its exports", Lafaurie stated.
Fedegán warned that adopting the measure could lead to multiple lawsuits before the Contentious Administrative Jurisdiction, as well as international litigation and trade reprisals from other countries at the World Trade Organization (OMC).
