WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/DS174/4
23 April 2003
(03-2161)
Original:  English
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES – PROTECTION OF TRADEMARKS
AND GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS FOR AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCTS AND FOODSTUFFS
Request to Join Consultations
Communication from Australia
The following communication, dated 17 April 2003, from the Permanent Mission of Australia
to the Permanent Delegation of the European Commission, the Permanent Mission of the UnitedStates and to the Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance with
Article 4.11 of the DSU.
_______________
I refer to the "Request for Consultations by the United States" regarding the protection of
trademarks and geographical indications for agricultural products and foodstuffs in the European
Communities, made on 4 April 2003 pursuant to Article 4 of the Understanding on Rules and
Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU), Article 64 of the Agreement on Trade-
Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights  and Article XXII of the General Agreement on Tariffs
and Trade 1994 , which was circulated to Members on 10 April 2003 (WT/DS174/1/Add.1,
IP/D/19/Add.1 and G/L/619 refer).
Australia is a significant producer and exporter of agricultural products and foodstuffs and, as
such, has a substantial trade interest in the consultations requested by the United States.
Due to our substantial trade interest in the above-mentioned consultations, the Government of
Australia hereby notifies, pursuant to paragraph 11 of Article 4 of the DSU, its desire to be joined in
the consultations.
I would be grateful for your early positive response.
__________