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WTO: 2006 NEWS ITEMS

Dispute Settlement Body 9 June 2006

EC blocks Norway's first panel request in ‘salmon’ dispute (DS337)

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NOTE:
This summary has been prepared by the WTO Secretariat’s Information and Media Relations Division to help public understanding about developments in WTO disputes. It is not a legal interpretation of the issues, and it is not intended as a complete account of the issues. These can be found in the reports themselves and in the minutes of the Dispute Settlement Body’s meetings.

I. DS337: European Communities — Anti-Dumping Measure on Farmed Salmon from Norway  back to top

A. Request for the establishment of a panel by Norway (WT/DS337/2)

At the DSB meeting on 9 June 2006, Norway requested a panel to examine EC's anti-dumping measures on farmed salmon from Norway (WT/DS337/2). It stated that parts of Irish and UK producers of salmon had been unwilling or unable to adapt to the competitive environment of salmon farming. Rather than adapt, a minority of EC producers, according to Norway, had preferred to “clamour” for restrictions on trade. For nearly 20 years, there had been some kind of restriction in place, said Norway. It reminded members of its request for consultations in March 2005 (DS328) concerning the EC's safeguard measures on salmon which were subsequently replaced by a provisional anti-dumping measure. Since January 2006, a definitive anti-dumping measure had been in place, said Norway. It concluded by wondering about “the legality of switching from one form of trade restriction to another”, and recommended that members consider the issue of how best “to avoid such abuses” in the future in the on-going Rules negotiations.

The EC responded by stating that consultations had not been fully exhausted, that Norway was “unduly rushing” the matter, and that, therefore, the EC could not agree to a panel.

The DSB agreed to revert to this matter.

Next meeting  back to top

The next meeting of the DSB is due to take place on 19 June.