WTO: 2006 NEWS ITEMS
Dispute Settlement Body 9 June 2006
EC blocks Norway's first panel request in ‘salmon’ dispute (DS337)
> Disputes in the WTO
> Find disputes
cases
> Find disputes
documents
> Disputes chronologically
> Disputes by subject
> Disputes by country
SEE ALSO:
> Press
releases
> News
archives
> Pascal
Lamy’s speeches
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
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.
back to top
Next meeting
The next meeting of the DSB is due to take place on 19 June.