WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/DS178/1
G/L/314G/SG/D9/1
29 July 1999
(99-3196)
Original:  English
UNITED STATES – SAFEGUARD MEASURE ON IMPORTS OF FRESH, CHILLED OR
FROZEN LAMB FROM AUSTRALIA
Request for Consultations by Australia
The following communication, dated 23 July 1999, from the Permanent Mission of Australia
to the Permanent Mission of the United States and to the Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body, is
circulated in accordance with Article 4.4 of the DSU.
_______________
My authorities have instructed me to reques t consultations with the Government of the
United States under Article 4 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the
Settlement of Disputes (DSU) and pursuant to Article XXII:1 of the General Agreement on Tariffsand Trade (GATT 1994) and Article 14 of the Agreement on Safeguards with regard to the definitive
safeguard measure imposed by the United States on imports of lamb meat.
1, 2
Under the "Proclamation 7208 of 7 July 1999 – To Facilitate Positive Adjustment to
Competition From Imports of Lamb Meat" and the "Memorandum of 7 July 1999 – Action Under
Section 203 of the Trade Act of 1974 Concerning Lamb Meat" by the President of the United States,
published in the Federal Register Vol. 64, No. 131, pp. 37389-37392 on 9 July 1999 and the FederalRegister Vol. 64, No. 132, pp. 37393-37394 on 12 July 1999 respectively, the United States
introduced a definitive safeguard measure in the form of a tariff-rate quota on imports of lamb meat
effective as of 22 July 1999.  Australia considers that this measure is inconsistent with the
United States' obligations under the provisions of the Agreement on Safeguards, in particular Articles
2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 11 and 12, and of GATT 1994, in particular Articles I, II, and XIX.
Australia reserves the right to raise additional factual matters and legal claims during the
course of the consultations.
I look forward to receiving the reaction of your authorities to this request so that we can
arrange a mutually convenient date to hold consultations.
__________
                                                     
1 G/SG/N/10/USA/3 and G/SG/N/11/USA/3.
2 Covering fresh, chilled, or frozen lamb meat, provided for in subheadings 0204.10.00, 0204.22.20,
0204.23.20, 0204.30.00, 0204.42.20, and 0204.43.20 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.