WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/DS287/2
23 April 2003
(03-2155)
Original:  Spanish
AUSTRALIA – QUARANTINE REGIME FOR IMPORTS
Request to Join Consultations
Communication from Chile
The following communication, dated 16 April 2003, from the Permanent Mission of Chile to
the Permanent Mission of Australia, the Permanent Delegation of the European Commission and to
the Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance with Article 4.11 of the
DSU.
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I have the honour to refer to the request for consultations by the European Communities
regarding the quarantine regime for imports applied by Australia, circulated on 9 April in document
WT/DS287/1, G/L/618, G/SPS/GEN/384.
The quarantine regime at issue in  the consultations is being applied to certain Chilean export
products.  Indeed, a process to obtain an Import Ri sk Analysis (IRA) for Chilean table grapes was
formally initiated in 1996, and since that process has not yet been completed, Australia has yet to
allow the said product to enter its market.  Moreover, a similar process was initiated for other Chileanproducts last year, and we hope to extend it in the future to other fresh fruit.  Consequently, Chile has
a substantial trade interest, and a substantial and systemic interest in this case, by virtue of which,
pursuant to Article 4 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of
Disputes (DSU), the Government of Chile respectfully asks to be joined in the above-mentioned
consultations.
I would be grateful if you could kindly inform us of the date and place of the consultations,
and I take this opportunity to renew the assurances of my highest consideration.
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