Status reports: Surveillance of implementation of recommendations adopted by the DSB

Case DS27: European Communities ?Regime for the importation, sale and distribution of bananasBack to top

The European Communities presented its status report on the new banana import regime, based on a “first come ?first served?system (see document WT/DS27/51/Add.15). Part of this new regime will be formally adopted shortly, said the EC. Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, Jamaica, St Lucia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, expressed concern at the impact the new system would have on their banana exports.

 

Case DS76: Japan ?Measures affecting agricultural productsBack to top

Japan (document WT/DS76/11/Add.11) announced that all technical questions had been resolved and that only one administrative issue remained.

Case DS103: Canada ?Measures affecting the importation of milk and the exportation of dairy productsBack to top

Canada (document WT/DS103/12/Add.6) reminded the members that the implementation period had ended on 31 January 2001 and confirmed that it had implemented the recommendations and rulings of the DSB. New Zealand, however, argued that through its new measures recently put in place to implement the DSB recommendations, Canada continued to export subsidized dairy products. The United States said that it did not consider that Canada has brought its export regime for dairy products into compliance with its export subsidy obligations.

Case DS90: India ?Quantitative restrictions on imports of agricultural, textile and industrial productsBack to top

India (document WT/DS90/16/Add.5) repeated its intention to implement by the deadline of 1 April 2001.

Case DS34: Turkey ?Restrictions on imports of textile and clothing productsBack to top

Turkey (document WT/DS34/12/Add.5) informed the DSB that Turkish authorities had arrived at a highly advanced stage in their endeavour to find the most appropriate solution. India reminded the DSB that the implementation period expires on 19 February 2001 and that this was therefore the last meeting before implementation was due. India requested more details of the progress made. India also reiterated its concern regarding the restrictions reportedly imposed by the Turkish authorities on imports of fabric from India.

Case DS87: Chile ?Taxes on alcoholic beveragesBack to top

Chile (WT/DS87/17/Add.1) announced that a bill calling for a single rate of 27 per cent for all alcoholic beverages as from 21 March 2003 was currently before the Chilean Senate for approval.

 

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Implementation of the recommendations of the DSB

Case DS161: Korea ?Measures affecting imports of fresh, chilled and frozen beef

Korea announced that it had already implemented some elements of the DSB's recommendations and that in order to complete the implementation process it would need a reasonable period of time.

 

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Statement by Brazil

Case DS70: Canada ?Measures supporting exports of aircraft

Brazil expressed its concern about Canada's announcement on 10 January 2001 concerning a new loan to be granted to its aircraft producer Bombardier in an attempt to match Brazil's financing offers made to win a contract from a US regional aircraft, Air Wisconsin.

Brazil argued that the new Canadian export subsidies were really unilateral retaliatory measures. Brazil announced that it had requested consultations with Canada concerning this issue (WT/DS222/1).

Canada responded that its intention was to provide, for one specific transaction, financing on the same terms that Brazil was now using to support the sales of its aircraft producer Embraer. Canada also said it retained full right to apply sanctions (suspension of concessions) against Brazil as authorized by the WTO Dispute Settlement Body on 12 December 2000.

 

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Panel set up in a new case

Case DS199: Brazil ?Measures affecting patent protection

Since this was the second request from the United States, the DSB automatically agreed to establish a panel to hear this case. Dominican Republic, Honduras, India and Japan reserved third party rights.

The US complains that Brazil discriminates the availability of patents and the enjoyment of patent rights on the basis of whether products are imported or locally produced.

 

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First time requests for panels to be set up

Case 210: Belgium ?Administration of measures establishing customs duties for rice

The European Commission, on behalf of Belgium, blocked the US' first request (document WT/DS210/2) for the establishment of a panel, saying that the request did not indicate clearly the trade measures at stake.

Case 207: Chile ?Price band system and safeguard measures relating to certain agricultural products

Chile blocked Argentina's first request (document WT/DS207/2) saying that further consultations would hopefully lead to a bilateral solution.

 

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Recourse to Article 21.5 of the DSU, review of implementation

Case DS46: Brazil ?Export Financing programme for aircraft

Canada requested the establishment of a panel to examine the WTO compatibility of Brazil's revised aircraft financing system (PROEX 3).

The DSB will revert to this issue at its next meeting.

 

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Adoption of panel report

Case DS179: United States ?Anti-dumping measures on stainless steel plate in coils and stainless steel sheet and strip from Korea

The DSB adopted the panel report.

The United States said that it would inform the DSB of its intention with respect to implementation in a timely manner.

 

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Other business

Under “Other business? Brazil announced that it had requested consultations with the United States concerning certain provisions of the US Patents Code.

The United States said that Brazil's complaint seemed to be a reaction to the panel established at the present meeting to examine Brazil's measures affecting patent protection (Case DS199).

 

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Agenda item withdrawn

Case DS177: United States ?Safeguard measures on imports of fresh, chilled or frozen lamb meat from New Zealand and Australia

This item was removed from the agenda as the United States appealed the panel report (document WT/DS177/R).