WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/DS275/7
27 November 2002
(02-6554)
Original:  Spanish
VENEZUELA – IMPORT LICENSING MEASURES ON
CERTAIN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
Request to Join Consultations
Communication from Chile
The following communication, dated 21 November 2002, from the Permanent Mission of
Chile to the Permanent Mission of Venezuela, the Permanent Mission of the United States and the
Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance with Article 4.11 of the DSU.
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I hereby refer to the request for consultations by the United States with respect to import
licensing systems and practices that restrict agricultural imports into Venezuela, circulated on12 November 2002 as document WT/D S275/1, G/L/587, G/LI C/D/35, G/ AG/GEN/55,
G/TRIMS/D/19.
The measures challenged by the United States generally affect imports of the products at
issue, whatever their origin.  Chilean exports of products such as fresh fruit and vegetables and white
meat have thus been seriously affected, and in certain instances prohibited, by such measures.  For
example, Chilean exports of fresh apples, grapes, pears, plums, kiwis, cherries, peaches, asparagus,pomegranates, quinces, and so forth have been subject to restrictions.  Total exports of fresh fruit and
vegetables to Venezuela amounted to 3,278,832 crates in the season 2000-2001, i.e. a more than
10 per cent reduction in relation to the previous season.  A noteworthy case is that of fresh garlic, for
which import permits were not issued despite the granting of a quota by Venezuela under the bilateral
trade agreement.  Imports of white meat (chicken, turkey and pork) underwent an even more drasticreduction.  As a result of the restrictions in question, in 2001 sales to Venezuela of such products fell
by more than 66 per cent in relation to the previous year.
In view of the foregoing, and pursuant to Article 4.11 of the Understanding on Rules and
Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes, th e Government of Chile respectfully requests to be
joined in the consultations on account of its substantial trade interest and substantial and systemic
interest in this case.
I should be obliged if you would kindly inform us of the date and place of the consultations.
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