WTO panel's report on complaint against EU measures on biotech products delayed until June 2005

Geneva, 4 November 2004

European Communities - measures affecting the approval and marketing of biotech products. Communication from the Chairman of the Panel. Document WT/DS291/ WT/DS292/21 WT/DS293/21 2 November 2004 (04-4681).
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The following communication, dated 2 November 2004, addressed to the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB), is circulated in accordance with Article 12.9 of the Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU).

The Panel in European Communities - Measures Affecting the Approval and Marketing of Biotech Products (WT/DS291, WT/DS292 and WT/DS293) indicated in its communication to the DSB of 20 August 2004 (WT/DS291/26, WT/DS292/20, WT/DS293/20) that it expected to issue its final report to the parties by the end of March 2005. However, as a result of the time taken to identify and select experts and, more importantly, in view of a joint request by all four parties that they be granted additional time to prepare their further submissions to the Panel, it will not be possible for the Panel to issue its final report to the parties by the end of March 2005. The Panel estimates that it will issue its final report to the parties by the end of June 2005.

World Trade Organisation