WORLD TRADE WT/DS26/14
WT/DS48/12
ORGANIZATION G/L/235
16April 1998
(98-1500)
Original: English
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES -MEASURES CONCERNING
MEAT AND MEAT PRODUCTS (HORMONES)
Surveillance ofImplementation ofRecommendations andRulings
Request forArbitration bytheEuropean Communities
Thefollowing communication, dated 8April 1998, from thePermanent Delegation ofthe
European Commission totheChairman oftheDispute Settlement Body, iscirculated attherequest
ofthatdelegation.
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On13February 1998, theDispute Settlement Body adopted recommendations andrulings in
respect ofthePanel andAppellate Body reports on“EC-Measures Concerning MeatandMeatProducts
(Hormones) ”(WT/DS26, WT/DS48). On13March 1998, theEuropean Communities announced
totheDSBthatitwould require a“reasonable period oftime”inorder tofulfil itsobligations under
theWTO inrespect ofthismatter.
On26March 1998, pursuant toArticle 21.3(b) oftheUnderstanding onRules andProcedures
Governing theSettlement ofDisputes (DSU), weattempted toreach agreement withCanada andthe
United States ona“reasonable period oftime”forourimplementation oftheDSB rulings and
recommendations. Afurther effort toelicit aresponse wasmade on6April. Noagreement could,
however, sofarbeachieved. Inorder topreserve therights oftheEuropean Communities inthis
caseunder theDSU, wehereby request thatthe“reasonable period oftime”bedetermined bybinding
arbitration pursuant toArticle 21.3(c) oftheDSU.
Pursuant tofootnote 12totheDSU, wewillopen discussions withCanada andtheUnited
States withaviewtoachieving agreement onanArbitrator within thenexttendays.
Please circulate thisrequest toMembers oftheDispute Settlement Body andrequest the
Secretariat tonotify theCouncil forTrade inGoods.
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