WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SG/Q2/VEN/3
12 November 2003
(03-6081)
Committee on Safeguards Original:  English
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 12.4 OF THE AGREEMENT
ON SAFEGUARDS BEFORE TAKING A PROVISIONAL
SAFEGUARD MEASURE REFERRED TO IN ARTICLE 6
AND
NOTIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE 9, FOOTNOTE 2,
OF THE AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS
Follow-Up Questions Posed by the EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
Regarding the Notifications from VENEZUELA1
(U & I Sections of Iron or Steel, of a height between
80 mm and 120 mm)
The following communication, dated 10 November 2003, has been received from the
Delegation of the European Commission.
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Venezuela notified on 17 October 2002 and 31 March 2003 to the WTO Committee on
Safeguards the imposition of provisional safeguard measures on imports of U and I sections of iron or
steel, of a height between 80 mm and 120 mm (G/SG/N/7/VEN/ 1-G/SG/N/11/VEN/1,
G/SG/N/7/VEN/1/Suppl.1-G/SG/N/11/VEN/1/Suppl.1).  The notifications stated that the measures
would last 200 days.  On 13 March 2003 the CASS released its definitive technical report in the
safeguard proceeding.  In this report the CASS concluded that there is no evidence of an increase ofimports that may justify the imposition of definitive safeguard measures.
1. Could Venezuela clarify what is the status of the proceeding and the next steps envisaged?
Why did Venezuela not notify CASS definitive technical report under Article 12(1)(b) of the WTO
Agreement on Safeguards?  Has a final decision been taken or if not is there any deadline for such adecision?  Will Venezuela publish a termination decision?
2. Could Venezuela confirm that the provisional safeguard measures are no longer in
application?  Have provisional duties been collected?  Can Venezuela confirm that they will be
refunded if the case is terminated and no definitive measures are imposed?
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1 G/SG/N/7/VEN/1-G/SG/N/11/VEN/1 & G/SG/N/7/VEN/1/Suppl.1-G/SG/N/11/VEN/1/Suppl.1