WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/DS291/9
12 June 2003
(03-3056)
Original:  English
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES – MEASURES AFFECTING THE APPROVAL
AND MARKETING OF BIOTECH PRODUCTS
Request to Join Consultations
Communication from Canada
The following communication, dated 30 May 2003, from the Permanent Mission of Canada to
the Permanent Delegation of the European Commission, the Permanent Mission of the United States
and to the Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance with Article 4.11 of
the DSU.
_______________
Pursuant to Article 4.11 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the
Settlement of Disputes  (DSU), the Government of Canada hereby notifies its desire to be joined in
consultations requested by the United States pursuant to Article 11.1 of the Agreement on the
Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures , Article 19 of the Agreement on Agriculture ,
Article 14.1 of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade  (TBT Agreement), Article XXII:1 of
the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994  and Article 4 of the DSU, with respect to certain
measures taken by the European Communities (EC) and its Member States affecting products of
biotechnology (biotech products).  The relevant communication from the Permanent Mission of the
United States  to the Permanent Mission of the European Communities, dated 13 May 2003, was
circulated to WTO Members on 20 May 2003.
Canada has both a substantial and systemic interest in the issues under consultation. Canada is
one of the world’s largest producers of biotech products.  In particular, it grows and exports several
canola (rapeseed) and corn biotech varieties that are the subject of applications for approval in the
EC’s regulatory approvals regime, or that have been approved but are banned in individual ECMember States.  As a consequence, Canada has a substantial trade interest in these consultations.
Moreover, Canada has a significant systemic interest in the proper interpretation of WTO disciplines
applicable to biotech product approvals regimes, as cited by the United States in its request for
consultations.
__________