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WT/DS26 - European Communities - Measures affecting meat and meat products (Hormones)

WTO dispute settlement case - Complaint against the EU

Country or region
United States
Trade topics
Dispute settlement
Dispute settlement
WTO - Complaint against the EU

Summary of the case

  • Complaint by: United States
  • Complaint against: EU
  • Third parties: Australia, Canada, New Zealand

EC measures prohibiting the importation of meat and meat products that have been treated with growth hormones.

Relevant WTO provision: GATT (III, XI); SPS(2, 3, 5); TBT (2); Agriculture (4)

Status

Same as the other 'hormones' case DS48. On 26 July 1999, concessions were suspended at a level of US$ 116,8 million (USA) and CN$ 11.3 million (Canada). The EC adopted Directive 2003/74/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 Sept. 2003 (OJ of 14 Oct.) amending Council Directive 96/22/EC. On 7 Nov. 2003, the EC informed the DSB that it has now fully implemented the recommendations of rulings of the DSB in the aforementioned dispute. The US and Canada disagreed.

See case DS320 for the related case on the continuation of sanctions.

On 22 December 2008 the EC requested consultations with the US under Article 21.5 DSU. On 14 May 2009, the US and EC signed a Memorandum of Understanding containing a provisional solution to this dispute.

  • Consultations requested: 26 January 1996
  • Panel requested: 25 April 1996
  • Panel established: 20 May 1996
  • Panel report circulated: 24 September 1997
  • Appeal requested: 24 September 1997
  • Appeal report circulated: 16 January 1998
  • Panel/Appellate Body report adopted: 13 February 1998
  • Implementation deadline: 13 May 1999
  • Recourse to Articles:
    • 02 June 1999 - Recourse to Art. 22.

Documents

EU submissions and other related documents

Full case details and WTO documents on the WTO website

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