 
  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/DS291/27 
WT/DS292/21 
WT/DS293/21 
2 November 2004 
 
 (04-4681) 
 Original:   English 
 
 
 
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES – MEASURES AFFECTING THE APPROVAL 
AND MARKETING OF BIOTECH PRODUCTS 
 
Communication from the Chairman of the Panel  
 
 
 The following communication, dated 2 Novemb er 2004, addressed to the Dispute Settlement 
Body (DSB), is circulated in accordance with Article 12.9 of the Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU). 
 
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  The Panel in European Communities – Measures Affec ting the Approval and Marketing of 
Biotech Products  (WT/DS291, WT/DS292 and WT/DS293)  indicated in its communication to the 
DSB of 20 August 2004 (WT/DS291/26, WT/DS292/20, WT/DS293/20) that it expected to issue its 
final report to the parties by the end of March 2005.  However, as a result of the time taken to identify 
and select experts and, more importa ntly, in view of a joint request by all four parties that they be 
granted additional time to prepare their further submis sions to the Panel, it will not be possible for the 
Panel to issue its final report to the parties by the end of March 2005.  The Panel estimates that it will 
issue its final report to the parties by the end of June 2005.     
 
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